R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Blair "Bruzzy" Reeves 1-2 on March 23, 1999, at the age of 74, brought a great loss to the 1-3 family and friends of this beloved man, as well as to the citizens 1-4 of San Antonio, whom he dutifully served for many years; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A retired chief justice of the 4th Court of Appeals, 1-6 Judge Reeves was born on May 19, 1924, in San Antonio; after 1-7 graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, he enlisted in the 1-8 U.S. Marine Corps; he was a member of the 2nd Marine Raider 1-9 Battalion and the 4th Marine Regiment during World War II and was 1-10 wounded on the island of Okinawa on May 20, 1945; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Though he was confined to a wheelchair for the 1-12 remaining years of his life, this vibrant individual was not 1-13 daunted in his efforts to represent his fellow citizens and effect 1-14 positive change, proving that physical limitations cannot restrain 1-15 the spirit and desire of those who are willing to dedicate 1-16 themselves to a cause; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Upon his return stateside, Judge Reeves attended San 1-18 Antonio College and Baylor University in preparation for his 1-19 enrollment in St. Mary's School of Law; he graduated from that 1-20 noteworthy institution in 1951 and embarked on a career that saw 1-21 him serve as a justice of the peace, a county judge, a county 1-22 court-at-law judge, an appellate judge, and a chief justice; and 1-23 WHEREAS, A dedicated civic leader as well, Judge Reeves 1-24 achieved perhaps his most notable accomplishment when he cast the 2-1 decisive vote in a 1967 ballot that doubled the hospital district 2-2 tax while serving as a member of the Bexar County Commissioners 2-3 Court; this then-controversial measure ultimately helped to save 2-4 The University of Texas Health Science Center and set the tone for 2-5 a life characterized by courage and tremendous vision; and 2-6 WHEREAS, While "Bruzzy" Reeves's contributions to his fellow 2-7 Texans have indeed proved profound and lasting, they represent only 2-8 one side of this remarkable man, for he was also a devoted family 2-9 man who was loved as a husband, father, brother, uncle, and 2-10 grandfather, and although he will be missed by all who knew him, 2-11 his spirit will surely live on in our hearts and minds for many 2-12 years to come; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Blair 2-15 "Bruzzy" Reeves and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 2-16 family: to his daughter, Jean Pereida, and her husband, Gilbert; to 2-17 his son, Jess Reeves; to his brother, John R. "Bubba" Reeves, and 2-18 his wife, Marian; to his sister, Harriet Reeves Holder; to his 2-19 sister-in-law, Bette Reeves; to his grandchildren, Jessica, 2-20 Brandon, Jennifer, Shane, and Kristina; to his great-grandchildren; 2-21 to his nieces and nephews; and to the many other relatives and 2-22 friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-25 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-26 the Honorable Blair "Bruzzy" Reeves. Van de Putte _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 588 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 31, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House