HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Robert W. Wright on April 3,

 1-2     1997, at the age of 66, has brought a great loss to the family and

 1-3     many friends of this beloved gentleman; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born on November 25, 1930, in Muskogee, Oklahoma,

 1-5     Mr. Wright was the publisher of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald; he

 1-6     earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from North Texas State

 1-7     University and did graduate work in psychiatric social work at

 1-8     Tulane University; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Early in his professional life, Mr. Wright worked as

1-10     a juvenile probation officer in Dallas and as a social worker for

1-11     the elderly citizens of Gainesville; he later entered into the

1-12     furniture business in partnership with his brother, Dick; and

1-13           WHEREAS, A member of the American Legion and the Veterans of

1-14     Foreign Wars, Mr. Wright served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army's

1-15     First Cavalry in artillery; he was decorated with both the Purple

1-16     Heart and the Bronze Star after he was wounded during the Korean

1-17     War; and

1-18           WHEREAS, In 1972, Mr. Wright married his second wife, the

1-19     former Patricia Ann Bass, and a year later the couple ventured into

1-20     what would become a successful foray into the publishing world,

1-21     buying the Deport Times, the Talco Times, and the Bogata News and

1-22     entering into a partnership with Jim and Tish Bass,  owners of the

1-23     Mount Vernon Optic-Herald; and

1-24           WHEREAS, The Wrights moved to Mount Vernon in 1980, and two

 2-1     years later they divested themselves of their several smaller

 2-2     newspapers; that same year, they won the sweepstakes award from the

 2-3     North and East Texas Press Association, and in 1988, Mr. Wright

 2-4     received the Sam C. Holloway award for his outstanding

 2-5     contributions to the journalism profession; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, Mr. Wright had a passion for flying, which he fueled

 2-7     by serving on the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce airport

 2-8     committee and chairing the Airport Board for many years; he was

 2-9     active in the community, serving on the vestry at St. Mark's Church

2-10     and enthusiastically supporting the Little Dribblers, a basketball

2-11     program for Mount Vernon's young citizens; and

2-12           WHEREAS, Robert W. Wright was a man of great compassion and

2-13     determination, and although his guidance will be missed by all who

2-14     knew him, his spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of

2-15     the many people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

2-16           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-17     hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert W. Wright and extend

2-18     sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

2-19     Patricia Bass Wright; to his daughters, Patricia Ann Wright Pool

2-20     and her husband, Robert, and Roberta Helen Wright Sherfy and her

2-21     husband, Joe; to his brother, Dick Wright; to his grandchildren,

2-22     Weetau, Forrest, and Wesley Pool; and to the many other relatives

2-23     and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further

 3-1           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 3-2     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 3-3     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in

 3-4     memory of Mr.  Wright.

                                                                      Ramsay

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 243 was adopted by the House on May

         9, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 243 was adopted by the Senate on

         May 22, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor