By Holzheauser H.R. No. 481 75R9947 SAJ-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Tom O'Connor, Jr., of Victoria on 1-2 August 7, 1996, at the age of 81, has brought a great loss to the 1-3 relatives and many friends of this prominent Texas rancher, 1-4 businessman, and philanthropist; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Mr. O'Connor was born to the South Texas pioneer 1-6 family of Thomas O'Connor, Sr., and Kathryn Stoner O'Connor on 1-7 March 6, 1915, and was graduated from Victoria College in the late 1-8 1930s; and 1-9 WHEREAS, He became manager of O'Connor Brothers ranches in 1-10 1942 and soon was well known throughout the area for his 1-11 outstanding management practices; he ran his extensive enterprises 1-12 with only two ranch hands during World War II, and throughout the 1-13 years, his successful ventures contributed greatly to the 1-14 betterment of the community; and 1-15 WHEREAS, An accomplished businessman, Mr. O'Connor began a 1-16 distinguished association with the board of Victoria Bank and Trust 1-17 Company in 1939 and was senior chairman of that bank and its 1-18 holding company, Victoria Bankshares, Inc., until their merger with 1-19 Norwest Corp. in 1996; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to education issues, he had served 1-21 on the board of his alma mater since 1979, and as chair of the 1-22 building committee was instrumental in securing the passage of a 1-23 $12 million bond package for facility construction; in addition, he 1-24 gave generously of his resources to help support St. Joseph High 2-1 School; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Mr. O'Connor, the devoted father of two children, 2-3 also helped to expand opportunities for countless area youth 2-4 through his involvement in the Victoria County 4-H group and the 2-5 Boy Scouts, and he strove to make the community a better place in 2-6 which to live, work, and rear a family as an active supporter of 2-7 Citizens Medical Center, the Victoria Community Center, the 2-8 Victoria Public Library, Twin Pines Nursing Home, and the Salvation 2-9 Army; and 2-10 WHEREAS, A man of immense vision, Tom O'Connor left an 2-11 indelible mark on his community, and though he is gone from us now, 2-12 his memory will long endure in the hearts and minds of all who were 2-13 privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tom O'Connor, Jr., 2-16 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-17 daughters, Louise S. O'Connor and Kathryn O'Connor Counts; to his 2-18 seven grandchildren; to his seven great-grandchildren; and to the 2-19 many other friends and relatives of this eminent Texan; and, be it 2-20 further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-23 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-24 Tom O'Connor, Jr.