By Ramsay H.C.R. No. 243 75R13543 JHS-D 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 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-26 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in 2-27 memory of Mr. Wright.