By: Montford S.R. No. 147
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 Thomas Sams Bishop
1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of Texas joins the citizens of Austin and
1-6 the State of Texas in mourning the loss of Thomas Sams Bishop who
1-7 died October 5, 1994; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born in Houston, Texas, on January 12, 1919,
1-9 General Bishop began his military service in 1934 at the age of 15
1-10 when he enlisted in Company F, 141st Infantry; he began his active
1-11 federal service with the United States Army, 36th Division, on
1-12 November 25, 1940, as a Second Lieutenant; and
1-13 WHEREAS, He served his country honorably in Europe with
1-14 Headquarters, 99th Infantry Division, and he achieved the rank
1-15 of Lieutenant Colonel in January, 1946; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Later that year, Thomas Bishop returned to service
1-17 with the 36th Division, United States Army National Guard; appointed
1-18 Assistant Adjutant General of Texas on September 1, 1960, he was
1-19 promoted to Brigadier General on November 16, 1960; and
1-20 WHEREAS, A courageous soldier and a brave leader noted for
1-21 his professionalism, he was appointed Adjutant General of Texas on
1-22 January 1, 1962; in 1969, he transferred to the United States Army
1-23 Reserve and voluntarily reverted to the rank of Colonel in the
2-1 Infantry; he was then appointed as Assistant Director, Research
2-2 and Development, United States Continental Army Command; and
2-3 WHEREAS, A man of highest integrity, General Bishop was
2-4 recalled as Adjutant General of Texas by Governor Dolph Briscoe
2-5 on February 6, 1973, and was reappointed as Major General; and
2-6 WHEREAS, General Bishop was brevetted Lieutenant General and
2-7 retired from the Texas Army National Guard and from the United States
2-8 Army on January 12, 1979, after over 44 years of military service;
2-9 and
2-10 WHEREAS, The only person to serve in this office under three
2-11 Texas governors, General Bishop remained active in military affairs
2-12 after his retirement and was instrumental in the construction of
2-13 both the Texas Guard All Faiths Chapel, which is named in his honor,
2-14 and the Texas Military Forces Museum; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Very active in civic affairs, General Bishop was the
2-16 foreman of the Travis County Grand Jury in the fall of 1979; he
2-17 was a former Trustee and Treasurer of the Texas Public Employees
2-18 Political Action Committee and a former member of the Legislative
2-19 Committee of the Texas Public Employees Association; and
2-20 WHEREAS, General Bishop was an active member of the Tarrytown
2-21 Methodist Church and a substitute teacher of the Men's Bible Class;
2-22 he was President of the Texas Military Forces Museum Board of
2-23 Directors and a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of
2-24 Foreign Wars, the Association of the United States Army, the
2-25 National Guard Association, the Retired Officers Association,
3-1 and the Sons of the Confederate Veterans; and
3-2 WHEREAS, Highly respected by those in his command and
3-3 his fellow officers, General Bishop accumulated many honors
3-4 and decorations including the United States Army's Distinguished
3-5 Service Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with Star, the Texas
3-6 Faithful Service Medal with Eight Cactus Leaves, and the Lone Star
3-7 Distinguished Service Medal; and
3-8 WHEREAS, His brilliant intellect and congenial personality
3-9 left an indelible imprint on all those fortunate enough to know
3-10 him; now, therefore, be it
3-11 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-12 74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
3-13 members of his bereaved family: his wife, Betty Marie Bishop;
3-14 his daughters, Betsey Ann Bishop and Eva Ruth Bishop; and his
3-15 sisters, Elizabeth Jones and Florence Dornbluth; and, be it further
3-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his
3-17 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate,
3-18 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-19 Thomas Sams Bishop.
3-20 ______________________________________
3-21 President of the Senate
3-22 I hereby certify that the above
3-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-24 on February 6, 1995, by a rising vote.
3-25 ______________________________________
4-1 Secretary of the Senate
4-2 ______________________________________
4-3 Member, Texas Senate