1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 703

 1-3                                  In Memory

 1-4                                     of

 1-5                             Thomas Andrew Mayes

 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the

 1-7     family and many friends of former county extension agent

 1-8     Thomas Andrew Mayes in mourning his death on April 21, 1997,

 1-9     at the age of 89; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Born in Hempstead on February 26, 1908, he

1-11     was the third of five children born to the late Ezra and

1-12     Elnora Thompson Mayes; he attended public schools in Hempstead

1-13     and graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a bachelor

1-14     of science degree in 1932; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Working for the United States Department of

1-16     Agriculture Extension Service, he was county agent for nine years

1-17     and six months in Caldwell County; he then transferred to Travis

1-18     County, where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1970;

1-19     and

1-20           WHEREAS, During much of his career, the extension service

1-21     was segregated; his job was to help black farmers and their families;

1-22     and

1-23           WHEREAS, During his career, he helped countless rural

 2-1     children and their families; he was a staunch supporter of 4-H clubs

 2-2     and worked hard to ascertain that his club members won regional and

 2-3     state awards for their projects; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, His advice and assistance were extremely valuable

 2-5     in helping farmers learn how to secure loans and then pay the loans

 2-6     back; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Mayes owned property and businesses in Austin;

 2-8     in 1985, he was given a humanitarian award for his work in what was

 2-9     then the Negro Chamber of Commerce; and

2-10           WHEREAS, Energetic and enthusiastic, Mr. Mayes earned the

2-11     respect and friendship of his colleagues; and

2-12           WHEREAS, A gentleman of strong convictions and unwavering

2-13     faith, he was christened in Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal Church

2-14     in 1909; he joined Saint Peter's United Methodist Church in Austin

2-15     to help the church grow, and later he moved his membership to

2-16     Wesley United Methodist Church, where he was an active member; and

2-17           WHEREAS, A man who enjoyed the company of his fellows, he was

2-18     a member of the Men's Garden Club of Austin, the National Gardeners

2-19     of America, and the Hook and Line Fishing Club of San Antonio and was

2-20     a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of

2-21     Colored People; and

2-22           WHEREAS, Admired for his wit, humor, ambition, and ability

2-23     to inspire young people, he will be greatly missed and remembered

2-24     with gratitude by all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,

2-25     be it

 3-1           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

 3-2     75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to

 3-3     his family:  his wife, Blandie Marie Fitch Mayes; his

 3-4     daughters, Tommye Mitchell and Doris Shaheed; his

 3-5     stepdaughter, Sandra McIntyre; and his five grandchildren,

 3-6     15 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren;

 3-7     and, be it further

 3-8           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared

 3-9     for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the

3-10     Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it

3-11     do so in memory of Thomas Andrew Mayes.

3-12                                                              Barrientos

3-13                                  ______________________________________

3-14                                         President of the Senate

3-15                                       I hereby certify that the above

3-16                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

3-17                                  on May 9, 1997, by a rising vote.

3-18                                  ______________________________________

3-19                                         Secretary of the Senate

3-20                                  ______________________________________

3-21                                           Member, Texas Senate