By Hilderbran                                          H.R. No. 251
         76R5978 JBR-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Burtrust Tobias "B. T." Wilson, Jr.,
 1-2     in August 1998 brought a great loss to the family, friends, and
 1-3     community of this beloved individual; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson moved with his wife and children to
 1-5     Kerrville in 1940 and established himself as a leader among the
 1-6     city's African-American citizens; he first worked as an educator at
 1-7     the school that came to be known as Doyle High School, and his
 1-8     commitment to academia was an inspiration to students, faculty, and
 1-9     residents alike; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Affectionately known as "Prof" by his students, this
1-11     respected man taught at Doyle High School until the Kerrville
1-12     schools integrated, at which time he joined the faculty of Tivy
1-13     High School; during his tenure at both schools he was a role model
1-14     for many students and was recognized as both an outstanding teacher
1-15     and a mentor of black heritage; and
1-16           WHEREAS, While working at Doyle High School, Mr. Wilson
1-17     exposed students to a wide range of extracurricular activities such
1-18     as theater, music, speech, dance, and sports; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Mr. Wilson was a passionate musician whose credits
1-20     include writing the Doyle High School song; he also acted in two
1-21     movies and wrote and published two popular songs; and
1-22           WHEREAS, In recognition of his fine work the city of
1-23     Kerrville declared October 5-6, 1996, B. T. Wilson Weekend; in 1997
1-24     he was recognized as an outstanding citizen by the Shallowhorn
 2-1     Masonic Lodge, and on March 7, 1998, the Democratic Party honored
 2-2     him with a citywide celebration of his 90th birthday; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, This fine gentleman served his fellow citizens as a
 2-4     volunteer at Kerrville State Hospital and the Salvation Army and
 2-5     was a member of a number of noteworthy organizations, including
 2-6     Hill Country Retired Teachers Association, the Democratic Party,
 2-7     United Way, Shallowhorn Masonic Lodge, 4-H Club, Optimist Club,
 2-8     Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and Mount Olive Baptist Church; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, February is Black History Month and it is
2-10     appropriate that Mr. Wilson's memory be honored at this time as he
2-11     was a man who worked to educate his community about its black
2-12     heritage through his tireless community involvement; and
2-13           WHEREAS, B. T. Wilson, Jr., was a man of rare strength and
2-14     vision who was said to have "lived his life bringing people
2-15     together," and though his guidance will be deeply missed, his
2-16     memory will long endure in the hearts and minds of all who were
2-17     privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
2-18           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-19     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of B. T. Wilson, Jr.,
2-20     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family and to the
2-21     many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further
2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-23     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-24     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-25     Burtrust Tobias "B. T." Wilson, Jr.