By Uher                                                H.R. No. 566
         76R9634 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Frank Owen III on
 1-2     February 20, 1999, at the age of 72, brought a great loss to the
 1-3     family and many friends of this distinguished Texan; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Senator Owen was born February 25, 1926, in El Paso,
 1-5     where he was a graduate of Fabens High School in 1943; he served
 1-6     with distinction as a tail gunner with the Army Air Corps during
 1-7     World War II and later earned a degree from The University of Texas
 1-8     School of Law in 1951; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, For many years this esteemed gentleman practiced law
1-10     in his hometown of El Paso; he began his distinguished political
1-11     career in 1951, serving in the Texas House of Representatives until
1-12     1955 and in the Texas Senate from 1955 to 1965; and
1-13           WHEREAS, While a legislator, he held such demanding posts as
1-14     chairman of the Federal Relations Committee and the Oil and Gas
1-15     Committee, vice chairman of the Water Conservation Committee, and
1-16     president pro tempore of the senate, and in 1961 he was accorded
1-17     the privilege of acting as governor for a day; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Senator Owen was active with many notable
1-19     organizations, including the El Paso Bar Association, Texas Bar
1-20     Association, American Bar Association, Texas Trial Lawyers, El Paso
1-21     Sheriff's Posse, and Masonic Lodge Fabens 1202; in addition to
1-22     being listed in the International Who's Who of Professionals and
1-23     the Who's Who in American Law, Senator Owen was also the founding
1-24     director and chairman of the board of American Bank of Commerce and
 2-1     a former director and chairman of the board of First National Bank
 2-2     of Fabens; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, An avid horseman as well, Senator Owen raised
 2-4     registered Appaloosa horses, was a member of the Appaloosa Horse
 2-5     Club, and was a prominent lower valley cotton farmer; he also
 2-6     donated his time to El Paso Scottish Rite Temple, El Maida Shrine
 2-7     Temple, Gideon International, and Trinity First United Methodist
 2-8     Church; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Frank Owen III leaves behind an exceptional legacy
2-10     forged by many years of dedication and hard work, and although he
2-11     will be deeply missed, his remarkable spirit will live on in the
2-12     hearts and minds of all those fortunate enough to have known him;
2-13     now, therefore, be it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Frank
2-16     Owen III and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
2-17     to his wife, Marianne Farrier Owen; to his children, Catherine Anne
2-18     Owen Woodul and her husband, Charles, Virginia Ruth Owen Roberts
2-19     and her husband, James, Frank Owen IV, William Farrier Owen and his
2-20     wife, Julie, Robin Owen Grambling and her husband, Randy, and
2-21     Lorrie Owen Ballinger and her husband, Ron; to his sister, Chickie
2-22     Bowden and her husband, Jim; to his beloved grandchildren; and to
2-23     his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further
2-24           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-25     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-26     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-27     Frank Owen III.