By: Montford S.R. No. 307 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 In Memory 1-3 of 1-4 Wiley Bert Dennis 1-5 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 1-6 citizens of West Texas in mourning the death of one of the 1-7 area's well-known and respected ranchers, Wiley Bert Dennis; 1-8 and 1-9 WHEREAS, The distinguished gentleman was the son of 1-10 Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Dennis, descendents of pioneer families who 1-11 settled in Dallas County; he was born on March 19, 1910, in 1-12 Farmers Branch and moved with his family to San Angelo in the 1-13 1920s; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Young Bert graduated from San Angelo High School 1-15 and attended San Angelo Junior College before beginning an 1-16 extensive ranching career; with the help of their father, Bert 1-17 and his two brothers leased a Pecos County ranch where they ran 1-18 sheep and cattle; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Bert Dennis married Dorothy Lee Austin in 1-20 San Angelo on September 9, 1938, and they moved to the ranch in 1-21 Fort Stockton; in 1942 the couple sold their lease and moved to 1-22 the old Marion Long place in Borden County where Mr. Dennis lived 1-23 the rest of his life; and 2-1 WHEREAS, An innovative rancher whose foresight brought 2-2 change to the ranching industry, Mr. Dennis was the first rancher 2-3 in Borden County to use a Piper Cub in his ranch work for rounding 2-4 up cattle as well as in the constant effort to keep the coyote 2-5 population under control; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Dennis contributed his time and energies to 2-7 his community and was deeply involved in the education of the 2-8 children of Borden County; he served as president of the school 2-9 board during the time the school expanded its program to include 2-10 all grades; he was a constant advocate of all school sports and 2-11 continued to be involved throughout his life; and 2-12 WHEREAS, In recognition of his exceptional contributions 2-13 to the development of young people, he received numerous honors 2-14 and awards from 4-H as well as other school-related programs; and 2-15 WHEREAS, An honorary life member of the Texas Sheep and 2-16 Goat Raisers Association, Mr. Dennis was named Rancher of the Year 2-17 in 1985 by the Colorado River Soil and Water Conservation Service; 2-18 he served with distinction as president of the Animal Control 2-19 Association for many years and as chairman of the Animal Damage 2-20 Control Committee of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association; 2-21 and 2-22 WHEREAS, The death of such a fine gentleman and beloved 2-23 Texan is poignantly felt not only by his family and friends but 2-24 by all those whose lives he touched; his wisdom and generosity 2-25 will be missed by many; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-2 74th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 3-3 family of Wiley Bert Dennis: his wife, Dorothy; his sons, 3-4 Steve Dennis and Joel Dennis; his daughter, Lisa Dennis Mahler; 3-5 and his four grandchildren; and, be it further 3-6 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 3-7 for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 3-8 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 3-9 do so in memory of Wiley Bert Dennis. 3-10 ______________________________________ 3-11 President of the Senate 3-12 I hereby certify that the above 3-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-14 on February 27, 1995, by a rising vote. 3-15 ______________________________________ 3-16 Secretary of the Senate 3-17 ______________________________________ 3-18 Member, Texas Senate