By Brimer H.R. No. 153 75R5188 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Helen Frances Riddle Witt on January 1-2 10, 1997, at the age of 81, has brought a great loss to the family 1-3 and many friends of this esteemed Texan; and 1-4 WHEREAS, She was born to Odis and Effie Riddle on September 1-5 19, 1915, in Joshua; the fifth of seven children, she learned from 1-6 an early age the importance of love, sharing, and commitment, and 1-7 relied on her strong value system and utmost faith in the Lord to 1-8 meet life's challenges; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In her youth, Mrs. Witt and her twin sister, Ellen, 1-10 were accomplished singers known as The Harmony Twins; they 1-11 delighted their many fans with performances on the radio and 1-12 television, and went on to sing with such popular entertainers as 1-13 Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, W. Lee O'Daniel, and The Light 1-14 Crust Doughboys; and 1-15 WHEREAS, In addition, Mrs. Witt will also be remembered as a 1-16 patriotic individual who admirably served her country during World 1-17 War II through her involvement with the United Service 1-18 Organizations, Inc., having drawn on her lovely voice to make the 1-19 days a little brighter for the members of our nation's armed 1-20 forces; and 1-21 WHEREAS, The Americanism Chair for her Veterans of Foreign 1-22 Wars Auxiliary, she helped to establish an annual Memorial Day 1-23 veterans service in her community and organized recognition and 1-24 award ceremonies for local police and firefighters; known to young 2-1 people throughout the area as "the flag lady," she devoted 2-2 countless hours to teaching schoolchildren the history of our 2-3 nation's flag and of the individuals who fought and gave their 2-4 lives to keep it flying; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, she was sustained by a deep 2-6 and abiding commitment to her family, and her devotion to her 2-7 husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was an 2-8 inspiration to a great many people; and 2-9 WHEREAS, During her lifetime, Helen Witt touched the lives of 2-10 many people, and though her presence will be deeply missed, her 2-11 memory will surely endure in the hearts and minds of all who knew 2-12 and loved her; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Helen Frances Riddle 2-15 Witt and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to 2-16 her devoted husband of 50 years, Orville Lee Witt; to her son, 2-17 Kenneth Lee Witt; to her daughter, Ellen Janette Witt Steppick; to 2-18 her brother, Jack C. Riddle; to her grandchildren and 2-19 great-grandchildren; and to the many other friends and family of 2-20 this beloved woman; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas 2-23 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-24 Helen Frances Riddle Witt.