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.