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