1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 845 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Watt Matthews 1-6 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has lost a truly great Texan 1-7 with the passing of cattleman Watt Matthews, who died at his 1-8 beloved Lambshead Ranch on April 13, 1997, at the age of 98; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Watkins Reynolds "Watt" Matthews was the youngest 1-10 of nine children born to Sallie Reynolds and John Alexander Matthews, 1-11 whose family settled in 1858 on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River 1-12 on the edge of Comanche territory; he was born on February 1, 1899, 1-13 in a ranch bunkhouse and continued to live much of his life in the 1-14 bunkhouse, where he slept on a cot; and 1-15 WHEREAS, After graduating from Princeton University in 1-16 1921, young Watt returned to Lambshead Ranch and began keeping 1-17 books for his father; when his father died in 1941, Watt and his 1-18 brother, Joe, assumed joint control of the 45,000-acre spread, 1-19 and Watt helped guide the family business for 56 years; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Held in the highest respect by members of the cattle 1-21 industry, Watt Matthews dedicated his life to preserving the ranch 1-22 settled by his forebears and was a pioneer in the work to eradicate 1-23 screwworm; and 2-1 WHEREAS, His interest in maintaining the ranch and 2-2 recording its history that is so closely linked to the development 2-3 of the state occupied much of his day-to-day activities; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Remembered as a great statesman of the cattle 2-5 industry and a fine gentleman, Watt Matthews personified those 2-6 qualities that Texans hold dear to their hearts; his life was 2-7 shaped by the people who shared his love of the land, and he 2-8 remained true to the traditions and values of his generation; and 2-9 WHEREAS, His family and friends are all richer for having 2-10 had Watt Matthews in their midst; he leaves a legacy of commitment 2-11 and devotion to the land that will be cherished by future 2-12 generations of Texans; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-14 75th Legislature, hereby extend deepest sympathy to the family 2-15 of Watkins Reynolds "Watt" Matthews; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 2-17 for his family as an expression of profound regret from the 2-18 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it 2-19 do so in memory of Watt Matthews. 2-20 Fraser 2-21 Bivins 2-22 Duncan 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 President of the Senate 2-25 I hereby certify that the above 2-26 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-27 on May 24, 1997, by a rising vote. 2-28 ______________________________________ 2-29 Secretary of the Senate 2-30 ______________________________________ 2-31 Member, Texas Senate 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 Member, Texas Senate 3-3 ______________________________________ 3-4 Member, Texas Senate