By Lewis of Tarrant H.R. No. 463
76R9854 JHS-D
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.