By Van de Putte                                      H.C.R. No. 182
         76R10551 GMW-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Wilbur L. Matthews on March 17, 1998,
 1-2     at the age of 95, brought a great loss to the family, friends, and
 1-3     associates of this esteemed gentleman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Matthews was born January 20, 1903, in Big
 1-5     Spring, Texas; he graduated from The University of Texas Law School
 1-6     in 1926 and began his legal career as an associate of the
 1-7     prestigious San Antonio law firm of Templeton, Brooks, Napier, and
 1-8     Brown, which was established in 1874 by Judge Wesley Ogden; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, In 1936 he was named a partner and the firm became
1-10     Brooks, Napier, Brown, and Matthews; he continued to practice law
1-11     until the time of his death, and today the firm still bears his
1-12     name as the professional corporation Matthews and Branscomb; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Matthews represented many notable clients in the
1-14     course of his storied legal career, including the electric and gas
1-15     systems of the City of San Antonio, Governor Coke Stevenson, the
1-16     Edwards Underground Water District, and the owners of the Rainbow
1-17     quicksilver mine, as well as a host of pro bono clients; and
1-18           WHEREAS, During his life, Mr. Matthews held a variety of
1-19     important positions, including serving as the first mayor of
1-20     Terrell Hills, as a founder of the South Texas Medical Center, as a
1-21     trustee and chair of the San Antonio Medical Foundation, as a
1-22     fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and as a member of
1-23     the Texas Finance Advisory Commission, American Law Institute, and
1-24     American Judicature Society; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, A noted author, Mr. Matthews wrote such books as San
 2-2     Antonio Lawyer, History of the San Antonio Zoo, and History of San
 2-3     Antonio Medical Foundation; he was also active with the San Antonio
 2-4     Zoological Society, Merry Knights of King William, Order of the
 2-5     Alamo, and Wednesday Lunch Club; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, The year 1999 marks the 125th anniversary of the
 2-7     esteemed law firm of Matthews and Branscomb; its 46 attorneys
 2-8     continue to uphold the demanding professional standards established
 2-9     by Mr. Matthews, serving clients throughout the Lone Star State and
2-10     with offices in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Carrizo Springs,
2-11     Uvalde, and Eagle Pass; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Wilbur L. Matthews was a truly respected lawyer and
2-13     community leader of ability and integrity, and he leaves behind an
2-14     exceptional legacy forged by many years of hard work and
2-15     dedication; now, therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-17     hereby pay tribute to the life of Wilbur L. Matthews and extend
2-18     sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his sons, Wilbur
2-19     L. Matthews, Jr., and his wife, Noel, and John Kenney Matthews and
2-20     his wife, Zelime; to his grandchildren, Wilbur Lee Matthews II,
2-21     Zelime Gillespie Matthews, Pamela Gregg Matthews and her husband,
2-22     Ronald Schenk, and Jennifer Lee Matthews and her husband, James
2-23     Elston; to his step-son, Lev H. Prichard III and his wife, Ella;
2-24     and to his many other relatives, friends, and colleagues; and, be
2-25     it further
2-26           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-27     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
 3-1     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
 3-2     memory of Wilbur L. Matthews.