1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 989 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Alexander Hieken 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens 1-7 of Houston and people across the nation in mourning the death of 1-8 Alexander Hieken; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Admired for his exceptional contributions to his 1-10 state and the nation, Al dedicated his life to the betterment of 1-11 his fellow citizens; he was known throughout the state for his 1-12 involvement in the labor movement to which he devoted much of his 1-13 time and energies; and 1-14 WHEREAS, A native of Saint Louis, Missouri, Al Hieken 1-15 graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree 1-16 in journalism in 1929; he began his newspaper career as a reporter 1-17 on the El Paso Post and was promoted to state editor, telegraph 1-18 editor, and assistant make-up editor; and 1-19 WHEREAS, He helped organize the local El Paso Newspaper 1-20 Guild and was later elected president, leading collective 1-21 bargaining sessions on behalf of editorial department employees; 1-22 and 1-23 WHEREAS, A veteran of the United States Navy, Al Hieken 2-1 served his country with honor during World War II aboard a 2-2 destroyer escort, where he was a radar operator and public 2-3 relations officer for the ship; and 2-4 WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Hieken returned to his newspaper 2-5 work and became very active in assisting various labor organizations, 2-6 including the Bakery Workers, the United Automobile Workers, the 2-7 Amalgamated Clothing Workers, and the national Congress of 2-8 Industrial Organizations; and 2-9 WHEREAS, When he became editor and publisher of The 2-10 San Antonio Weekly Dispatch, Mr. Hieken divided his time between 2-11 his home in Houston and traveling to San Antonio to publish the 2-12 paper; he later worked in Austin for the Long News Service which 2-13 covered the Texas Legislature for state newspapers; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Elected by his peers to serve on the Texas Silver 2-15 Haired Legislature, he was chairman of the Information Service 2-16 Committee and a member of its Executive Committee; and 2-17 WHEREAS, A lifelong Democrat who was closely involved in many 2-18 of the party's political organizations, Mr. Hieken was a member of 2-19 the Harris County Democratic Party, the NASA-Clear Creek Democrats, 2-20 and the Democrats 2000; and 2-21 WHEREAS, During President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty 2-22 program, Al Hieken was press relations director for the Houston 2-23 office of the Manpower Training Program and later became its 2-24 director; and 2-25 WHEREAS, His wise counsel and commitment to the causes he 3-1 held dear will be remembered with gratitude by all those whose 3-2 lives were touched by his efforts on their behalf; now, therefore, 3-3 be it 3-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-5 75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family 3-6 of Alexander Hieken; and, be it further 3-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 3-8 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, 3-9 and when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-10 Al Hieken. 3-11 Whitmire 3-12 ______________________________________ 3-13 President of the Senate 3-14 I hereby certify that the above 3-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-16 on May 31, 1997, by a rising vote. 3-17 ______________________________________ 3-18 Secretary of the Senate 3-19 ______________________________________ 3-20 Member, Texas Senate