R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Alexander Hieken on May 25,
1-2 1997, at the age of 88, has brought a great loss to the family and
1-3 many friends of this remarkable gentleman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on July 20, 1908, in St. Louis, Missouri,
1-5 Mr. Hieken was a graduate of the University of Missouri at
1-6 Columbia, where he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism;
1-7 following his graduation in 1929, Mr. Hieken accepted a reporting
1-8 job with the El Paso Post, now the El Paso Herald-Post, and he
1-9 quickly worked his way through the paper's ranks, eventually
1-10 serving as telegraph editor and state editor; and
1-11 WHEREAS, In 1934, on the heels of the American Newspaper
1-12 Guild's formation, Mr. Hieken helped organize the El Paso Newspaper
1-13 Guild local, which he served as treasurer and later as president;
1-14 he led collective bargaining sessions in behalf of the editorial
1-15 staffs of the El Paso Herald-Post and the El Paso Times and was
1-16 responsible for the first guild contract with a Texas newspaper;
1-17 and
1-18 WHEREAS, This patriotic individual proudly served his country
1-19 during World War II, first as a member of the El Paso rationing
1-20 board and later as a radar operator on a United States Navy
1-21 destroyer escort; upon his return to El Paso, he continued his
1-22 active involvement in the labor movement, supporting several local
1-23 unions and serving as president of the El Paso Congress of
1-24 Industrial Organizations Council; and
2-1 WHEREAS, A lifelong member of the Democratic Party,
2-2 Mr. Hieken cast his first presidential ballot for Franklin Delano
2-3 Roosevelt; throughout his long and productive life, he continued
2-4 his support of the party and enthusiastically supported the
2-5 AFL-CIO; and
2-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Hieken's career as a journalist later led to
2-7 positions as publisher and editor of the San Antonio Weekly
2-8 Dispatch and as a reporter with Long News Service, and he
2-9 contributed articles to the Texas Observer; his continued
2-10 involvement in the political and social issues of his time resulted
2-11 in his appointment as press relations director of the Manpower
2-12 Training Program in Houston, which he later directed; his numerous
2-13 organizational ties included membership in the Houston Press Club,
2-14 the National Council of Senior Citizens, and the Texas
2-15 Silver-Haired Legislature; and
2-16 WHEREAS, Alexander Hieken was a man of great compassion and
2-17 vision whose passionate fight for democracy inspired countless men
2-18 and women, and although his generosity and leadership will be
2-19 missed by all who knew him, his spirit will no doubt live on in the
2-20 hearts and minds of the many people whose lives he touched; now,
2-21 therefore, be it
2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
2-23 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Alexander Hieken and
2-24 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-25 Elizabeth Kimmel-Hieken; to his daughter, Ellen Hinkle; to his
2-26 grandchildren, Chris Hinkle and Cherrie Hinkle; to his
2-27 great-grandchildren, Carli and Austin Hinkle; to his sister, Mary
3-1 Lavazzi; to his brother, George Hieken; and to the many other
3-2 relatives and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it
3-3 further
3-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-5 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-6 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-7 Alexander Hieken.
Yarbrough
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1278 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 1997.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House