R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Willie C. Sennette, Jr., on

 1-2     January 5, 1997, at the age of 63, has brought a great loss to the

 1-3     family and many friends of this distinguished gentleman; and

 1-4           WHEREAS,  Born in Galveston on August 11, 1933, Mr. Sennette

 1-5     was graduated from Central High School in 1951; he went on to study

 1-6     music at Huston-Tillotson College and Prairie View A&M University,

 1-7     earning bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, and took his

 1-8     first teaching position as band director for the Carthage

 1-9     Independent School District in 1955; and

1-10           WHEREAS, A veteran of the U.S. Army, this talented musician

1-11     was a member of the 7th Army Symphony and the 82nd Army Band;

1-12     following his discharge in 1958, he began a 31-year tenure as a

1-13     band director for the Beaumont Independent School District, a

1-14     career that featured first, second, and third place finishes in the

1-15     University Interscholastic League's annual band competitions; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Mr. Sennette shared his musical gifts freely with

1-17     the members of his community, performing often for his fellow

1-18     congregants at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and at weddings,

1-19     anniversaries, and reunions; he encouraged young people to study

1-20     music, and he was known to purchase instruments for dozens of

1-21     students during his years as an educator; and

1-22           WHEREAS, A longtime member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity,

1-23     Mr. Sennette served as president of this distinguished organization

1-24     from 1970 to 1974 and again from 1986 to 1990; in addition, he was

 2-1     a member of the National Music Educators Association and the

 2-2     Beaumont Music Commission and was well known as the leader of the

 2-3     Master of Sounds Dancing Band; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Willie C. Sennette, Jr., was a man of great

 2-5     generosity and talent, and although his leadership and enthusiasm

 2-6     will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit will no doubt live

 2-7     on for many years to come in the hearts and minds of the countless

 2-8     people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-10     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Willie C. Sennette,

2-11     Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to

2-12     his wife, Dolores Sennette; to his son, Willie C. Sennette III and

2-13     his wife, Ava Loretta Sennette; to his foster son, Raymond Marsh;

2-14     to his sisters, Myrtle Sennette, Barbara Lee Marsh, and Wilmaude

2-15     Sennette; to his brothers, Wilbert Sennette and Leroy Sennette; to

2-16     his uncles, James Sennette and Whitney Sennette; to his aunt, Anita

2-17     Augustus; and to the many other relatives and friends of this

2-18     beloved man; and, be it further

2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-20     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-21     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-22     Willie C.  Sennette, Jr.

                                                                       Price

                                                                   McClendon

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 1054 was adopted by the House on May

         24, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House