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.