By Holzheauser                                         H.R. No. 483

         75R9483 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Leo Welder on July 31, 1996, at the

 1-2     age of 73, brought a great loss to the family and many friends of

 1-3     this esteemed gentleman; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A native of Victoria, Mr. Welder was a prominent and

 1-5     influential member of that historic community and was highly valued

 1-6     as a civic leader; a rancher and banker by occupation, this

 1-7     dedicated individual devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy

 1-8     to helping his fellow citizens; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Mr. Welder had served as chairman of the board of

1-10     directors for First Victoria National Bank since 1982 and was

1-11     associated with that institution for almost 46 years; during his

1-12     time on the board, this forward-looking individual did much to

1-13     advance the bank's standing in the community, instituting such

1-14     financial innovations as investment and insurance services, and

1-15     other programs not traditionally associated with banking; and

1-16           WHEREAS, His two-year stint as president of the Texas and

1-17     Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was highly successful, and

1-18     his professional and civic endeavors helped earn him "Man of the

1-19     Year" honors from the Victoria Jaycees in 1957, as well as the

1-20     Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's "Outstanding Citizen of the

1-21     Year" award in 1980; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Mr. Welder's commitment to and passion for education

1-23     were evidenced through his service on the board of trustees at

1-24     Victoria College from 1954 to 1985; before that lengthy tenure, he

 2-1     helped shape the course of Texas A&I University in Kingsville as a

 2-2     trustee of the school's board during the 1950s; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, A loyal family man, Mr. Welder went out of his way

 2-4     to cheer up those around him, always offering words of

 2-5     encouragement to his family members and to the many people who were

 2-6     fortunate to call this distinguished gentleman their friend; his

 2-7     good nature was infectious and his love of life was legendary, and

 2-8     many a dark mood was lightened by his very presence; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Leo Welder was a man of rare compassion and

2-10     integrity, and though his guidance and devotion will be missed by

2-11     those people whose lives he touched, his spirit will live on in the

2-12     hearts of all who knew him; 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 Leo Welder and extend

2-15     sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

2-16     Virginia Callan Welder; to his sons, Roger Welder, Jimmy Welder,

2-17     Smithy Welder, and Bevans Welder; to his daughters, Lucy Brower and

2-18     Elizabeth Welder; to his grandchildren; and to the many other

2-19     relatives and friends of this beloved man; and, be it further

2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-21     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-22     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-23     Leo Welder.