By Price H.R. No. 1054 75R15578 JHS-D 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.