By Holzheauser                                         H.R. No. 482

         75R9938 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and many friends of Dennis M. O'Connor

 1-2     were greatly saddened by his passing January 16, 1997, at the age

 1-3     of 90, and we join them in bidding a reluctant farewell to an

 1-4     energetic businessman, generous philanthropist, and devoted family

 1-5     man; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A fourth-generation Texan, Mr. O'Connor attended

 1-7     Dallas University and graduated from The University of Texas before

 1-8     serving as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy during

 1-9     World War II, and on his return home he took over the management of

1-10     Copano Cattle Company from his father; and

1-11           WHEREAS, His astute business sense ensured his success in his

1-12     careers as a rancher and oilman, and he also served as chairman

1-13     emeritus of Victoria Bankshares and chairman emeritus of the board

1-14     of Victoria Bank and Trust; and

1-15           WHEREAS, A vital and valued member of the community, he gave

1-16     freely of his time, talent, and resources to numerous

1-17     organizations, including the Victoria Zoo and St. Joseph High

1-18     School; a lifelong champion of education and historical

1-19     preservation, he was also founder of the Six Flags Humane Society

1-20     and the Citizens Medical Foundation; and

1-21           WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. O'Connor drew on the

1-22     steadfast support of his family, in particular his late wife

1-23     Dorothy Hanna O'Connor, and they remained a source of pride and joy

1-24     to him throughout his life; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Dennis O'Connor's life and career are eloquent

 2-2     testimonials to the ability of one man to make a profound

 2-3     difference in the lives of others, and his warm personality and

 2-4     genuine concern for humanity will be fondly remembered by all those

 2-5     whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-7     Legislature hereby honor the memory of Dennis O'Connor and extend

 2-8     sincere sympathy to his family: to his son, Robert J. Hewitt; to

 2-9     his grandsons, Robert J. Hewitt, Jr., and Dennis O'Connor Hewitt;

2-10     to his granddaughter, Mary Austin Hewitt; to his

2-11     great-granddaughter, Ellen Hewitt; to his nieces, Louise S.

2-12     O'Connor and Kathryn O'Connor Counts; and to his nephew, D. H.

2-13     Braman, Jr.; and, be it further

2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-15     prepared for the members of his family and that when the the Texas

2-16     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-17     Dennis M. O'Connor.