By Uher                                                H.R. No. 218
         76R6132 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of former state representative Mary Jane
 1-2     Bode, at the age of 71, brought a great loss to the family and many
 1-3     friends of this talented Texas journalist and legislator; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Mrs. Bode began her long and respected career in
 1-5     journalism in 1956, and over the years she served with a number of
 1-6     news organizations, including the Austin American-Statesman and the
 1-7     Long News Service; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Her competence, insight, and real respect for
 1-9     government earned her a position as press secretary for Texas
1-10     Attorney General John Hill; and
1-11           WHEREAS, After several years of valued service with the
1-12     attorney general's office, Mrs. Bode ran for the house in a special
1-13     election called for an open Austin seat in 1977; her win, and
1-14     subsequent reelection in 1978, reinforced her love for the
1-15     legislative process and renewed her commitment to serving her
1-16     fellow citizens; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Following her term in the Texas House of
1-18     Representatives, Mrs. Bode returned to newspaper work, covering
1-19     important issues for readers in San Antonio, Del Rio, and Corpus
1-20     Christi; her high credibility and strong news instincts made her a
1-21     valuable asset and a powerful resource; and
1-22           WHEREAS, A determined reporter and dedicated legislator, her
1-23     remarkable achievements and her service to the people of Texas will
1-24     long be remembered, and though her presence will always be deeply
 2-1     missed, surely her spirit lives on through the many lives she
 2-2     touched; now, therefore, be it
 2-3           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th
 2-4     Legislature of the State of Texas hereby pay tribute to the life
 2-5     and work of Mary Jane Bode and extend sincere sympathy to the
 2-6     members of her family: to her daughters, Georgianna Harms and Vera
 2-7     Carmignani; to her son, Todd Bode; to her five beloved
 2-8     grandchildren; and to the many other relatives and friends of this
 2-9     esteemed Texan; and, be it further
2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-11     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
2-12     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-13     the Honorable Mary Jane Bode.