By Gallego                                           H.C.R. No. 147
         76R1459 BE-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of former Del Rio mayor E. H. "Herb"
 1-2     Whitis, Jr., on October 6, 1998, at the age of 74, has brought a
 1-3     great loss to the family and many friends of this esteemed Texan;
 1-4     and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born on August 29, 1924, to Ernest and Johnie Lee
 1-6     Whitis in Lampasas County, he attended Texas A&M University and
 1-7     proudly served with the Army Air Corps in the European Theater
 1-8     during World War II; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, After returning home, Mr. Whitis married Elwyn
1-10     Rosamund in August 1948; the loving couple were blessed with two
1-11     daughters, Lea and Holly, and the love and laughter of all their
1-12     years together have left a host of cherished family memories; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Whitis began a career in automotive parts sales
1-14     with the skills he had learned by working closely with his father,
1-15     and he successfully ran ventures in San Antonio and Victoria; in
1-16     1967, he moved his family and his business to Del Rio, where for
1-17     more than 30 years he owned and operated Automotive Supply Company,
1-18     Inc.; and
1-19           WHEREAS, A committed and responsible resident of that city,
1-20     Mr. Whitis was active in a number of area charitable and civic
1-21     organizations, including the Del Rio Lions and Rotary clubs and
1-22     the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, which he also served as president;
1-23     he was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, and a
1-24     Shriner as well; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, His election to the post of mayor of Del Rio in 1980
 2-2     was proof of both his dedication to the city  and the high regard
 2-3     in which he was held by the citizens of Del Rio; though his warmth
 2-4     and guidance will be deeply missed, his spirit will surely live on
 2-5     in the hearts of all those who were privileged to know him, and it
 2-6     is indeed fitting to honor his memory at this time; now, therefore,
 2-7     be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
 2-9     hereby pay tribute to the life of E. H. "Herb" Whitis, Jr., and
2-10     extend sincere sympathy to his family: to his wife, Elwyn Whitis;
2-11     to his daughters and son-in-law, Lea Whitis, Holly Whitis Warner,
2-12     and Mack Warner; to his granddaughter, Kelsey Warner; to his
2-13     sisters and brother-in-law, Nelda Cole, Teresa Brown, Wanda Spears,
2-14     and Norman Spears; to his nieces and nephews; and to all his many
2-15     friends; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-18     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
2-19     memory of Herb Whitis.