R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Fort Worth's Izean Franklin
 1-2     Davidson on March 13, 1999, at the age of 85, has brought a great
 1-3     loss to the family, friends, and fellow citizens of this esteemed
 1-4     woman; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A retired schoolteacher, Mrs. Davidson championed
 1-6     many causes during her lifetime, most notably education; she
 1-7     devoted 42 years of service as a reading teacher in Texas and,
 1-8     among her many accomplishments, she was the first black reading
 1-9     specialist in the Fort Worth Independent School District; she was
1-10     also a charter member and first vice president of the 2nd Fort
1-11     Worth Branch Association of Childhood Education and was the first
1-12     woman president of the North Texas Teachers Association; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Mrs. Davidson was born in Sherman and attended Fred
1-14     Douglas High School before continuing her education at Wiley
1-15     College, where she earned a bachelor's degree; she later received a
1-16     master's degree in education from the University of Colorado and
1-17     pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Laramie and East
1-18     Texas State University; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Perhaps best known for her integral role as a
1-20     supporter of local politicians, Mrs. Davidson aided numerous
1-21     Democrats--and the occasional Republican--in their political
1-22     campaigns; a skilled strategist, this remarkable woman operated an
1-23     extensive and well-organized phone bank, and her tenacious support
1-24     and tireless backing represented the difference in more than a few
 2-1     tight races; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Mrs. Davidson was a Tarrant County delegate to the
 2-3     National Democratic Convention a number of times, and she was
 2-4     invited by President William Jefferson Clinton to the nation's
 2-5     capital to attend his inauguration ceremonies; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Mrs. Davidson's dedication to her church and to God
 2-7     was second to none, as demonstrated by her longtime commitment to
 2-8     Baker Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, which she served
 2-9     in many capacities, including director of Christian education and
2-10     director of layman organization; she was also prominent on the
2-11     regional, state, and national levels of the African Methodist
2-12     Episcopal Church and was recognized for her contributions when Paul
2-13     Quinn College's Davidson-Houston Academy was named in her honor;
2-14     and
2-15           WHEREAS, Countless organizations and associations benefited
2-16     from the leadership and guidance of this exceptional woman,
2-17     including the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the YWCA
2-18     of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the NAACP, and the local blood
2-19     bank; and
2-20           WHEREAS, Teacher, activist, wife, mother, and servant of the
2-21     Lord, Izean Davidson excelled in each and every role she accepted,
2-22     setting an example for all who knew and loved her, and although her
2-23     passing has deprived us of her physical presence, her spirit and
2-24     legacy of good works will long live on in this world; now,
2-25     therefore, be it
2-26           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-27     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Izean Franklin
 3-1     Davidson and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family:
 3-2     to her foster daughter, Gloria Dean Young; to her foster grandson,
 3-3     Les Byrd; to her godson, Jibri Duncan; to her sister-in-law, Hazel
 3-4     Franklin; to her sister, Myrtle Spencer; to her brother, Albert
 3-5     Nelson; to her nieces and nephews, Dr. A. Lee and Bobbie Henderson,
 3-6     Hazel Obey, Elmo Bryant, Pinkie Tucker, and Rosetta Lewis; and to
 3-7     the many other relatives and friends of this beloved woman; and, be
 3-8     it further
 3-9           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10     prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
3-11     Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Izean
3-12     Franklin Davidson.
                                                            Lewis of Tarrant
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 463 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on April 23, 1999.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House