By Van de Putte                                        H.R. No. 588
         76R10942 JHS-D                           
                                 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.