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