By: Armbrister S.R. No. 453
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 In Memory
1-3 of
1-4 G. M. Blackman
1-5 WHEREAS, The family and many friends of G. M. Blackman
1-6 suffered a great loss with the passing of this esteemed gentleman
1-7 on November 11, 1994, at the age of 87; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born July 1, 1907, in Hutto, Mr. Blackman completed
1-9 his undergraduate studies at Southwest Texas State University,
1-10 where he distinguished himself as an outstanding athlete in football,
1-11 baseball, and basketball; the school later honored him for his many
1-12 accomplishments by naming him to the athletic department's Hall of
1-13 Honor in 1993, and his success as a high school coach merited his
1-14 inclusion in the Texas Coaches Hall of Honor as well; and
1-15 WHEREAS, After his college graduation in 1929, Mr. Blackman
1-16 embarked on an educational career that would span 56 years and
1-17 encompass teaching, coaching, and administrative responsibilities;
1-18 he worked in several different school districts before settling in
1-19 Bastrop County in 1960, when he became superintendent of the
1-20 Smithville Independent School District; and
1-21 WHEREAS, The Smithville school system was undergoing radical
1-22 change at this time, and Mr. Blackman successfully guided the
1-23 district through integration and a growing enrollment that brought
2-1 the district up to 2A status; he was instrumental in the passage of
2-2 a bond initiative that funded construction of a new school, and he
2-3 also brought one of the first Head Start programs in the country to
2-4 Smithville; and
2-5 WHEREAS, His friendship with President Lyndon B. Johnson,
2-6 a former classmate at Southwest Texas State University, was
2-7 instrumental in bringing that critical program to Smithville,
2-8 and thus the city's G. M. and Mazie Blackman Head Start Center
2-9 was named in honor of Mr. Blackman and his beloved wife; and
2-10 WHEREAS, In 1970, he became the director for federal programs
2-11 at the Bastrop Independent School District; affectionately known as
2-12 "Mr. B" by students and adults alike, he remained a driving force
2-13 in that district even after his retirement and served two different
2-14 terms as interim school superintendent; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Throughout the state, Mr. Blackman was best known
2-16 for his extraordinary contributions to girls' athletic programs,
2-17 and the members of the Bastrop High School Lady Bears basketball
2-18 team could count on him to be in the stands at every one of their
2-19 games, whether played at home or on the road; Mr. Blackman is
2-20 largely responsible for the format of today's high school girls'
2-21 basketball games, since he led efforts to gain University
2-22 Interscholastic League recognition of the sport in 1949 and
2-23 to change it from a half-court game to the present full-court
2-24 game; and
2-25 WHEREAS, Despite his many professional obligations, this
3-1 selfless civic leader always found time to devote to public
3-2 service; an active member of the First United Methodist Church,
3-3 the Lions Club, and the local chapter of the American Association
3-4 for Retired Persons, Mr. Blackman worked tirelessly to the benefit
3-5 of young and old alike, serving as a leader in the Boy Scouts of
3-6 America and as one of the founders of the Bastrop Senior Citizens'
3-7 Center; and
3-8 WHEREAS, A man of integrity, honor, and compassion,
3-9 G. M. Blackman left an indelible mark both on the Bastrop community
3-10 and on the lives of all who knew him, and the magnitude of his gifts
3-11 can never be measured; as a coach, as an educator, and as a civic
3-12 leader, this extraordinary individual shared his generosity and
3-13 kindness with countless others, and he will long be remembered as
3-14 someone who truly made the world around him a better place; now,
3-15 therefore, be it
3-16 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-17 74th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of G. M. Blackman
3-18 and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: his
3-19 daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Mike Harris; his grandson,
3-20 Micah Harris; and to all the friends and relatives of this remarkable
3-21 gentleman; and, be it further
3-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
3-23 prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-24 the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it
3-25 do so in memory of G. M. Blackman.
4-1 ______________________________________
4-2 President of the Senate
4-3 I hereby certify that the above
4-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
4-5 on March 15, 1995, by a rising vote.
4-6 ______________________________________
4-7 Secretary of the Senate
4-8 ______________________________________
4-9 Member, Texas Senate