By Lewis of Orange                                     H.R. No. 179
         76R1762 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of longtime Orange resident Beth Dugas
 1-2     on August 28, 1998, at the age of 67, has brought a great loss to
 1-3     her family and many friends, as well as to the numerous area civic
 1-4     and social groups in which she was such a dynamic force; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Originally from Boise City, Oklahoma, this
 1-6     remarkable woman had made Orange her home since 1960; she and her
 1-7     husband, attorney Louis Dugas, were blessed with five children, and
 1-8     the family's years together were truly happy ones filled with
 1-9     joyful family memories of much laughter and love; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Widely known for her artistic talent, her
1-11     needlepoint designs grace the chairs in the Texas Governor's
1-12     Mansion and the kneelers of  the First United Methodist Church in
1-13     Orange; and
1-14           WHEREAS,  Mrs. Dugas was also hailed as a champion of local
1-15     theater, both on-stage and behind the scenes; her many years of
1-16     support for the Orange Community Players (OCP) theater group
1-17     include her design work in detailing the OCP's first Edgar Award
1-18     and being named Best Supporting Actress in the troupe's production
1-19     of "Steel Magnolias"; and
1-20           WHEREAS, In addition to her important contributions in
1-21     forming the Lamar University Friends of the Arts group, this
1-22     spirited lover of the arts and dedicated community voice was a
1-23     member of the Art League, the Lutcher Theater Service Guild, the
1-24     Service League Follies, and the Women's Club, and she was a
 2-1     frequent volunteer with the Salvation Army as well; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, One group that was especially dear to Mrs. Dugas's
 2-3     heart was the Exotic Cat Refuge in Kirbyville, where she had
 2-4     volunteered her time and energy for six years, caring for abandoned
 2-5     and formerly mistreated large cats; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, The wealth of talents and boundless compassion and
 2-7     energy that characterized Beth Dugas will be sorely missed in the
 2-8     years to come, but surely her spirit lives on in the hearts and
 2-9     minds of all those who were privileged to have known her, and it is
2-10     indeed appropriate to honor her memory at this time; now,
2-11     therefore, be it
2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-13     Legislature hereby pay  tribute to the life of Beth Dugas and
2-14     extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
2-15     beloved husband, Louis; to her children, Clay Dugas, Reagan Dugas,
2-16     Elvin Dugas, Mary Hester, and Karen Walden; to her brothers, Floyd,
2-17     George, and Charles Tuley; to her eight grandchildren and two
2-18     great-grandchildren; and to the many other relatives and friends of
2-19     this esteemed Texan; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared  for the members of her family and that when the Texas
2-22     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-23     Beth Dugas.