R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Bay City's Frank Sinclair 1-2 Craft, Sr., on March 30, 1999, at the age of 74, has brought a 1-3 great loss to the family and many friends of this esteemed 1-4 gentleman; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Craft was born September 28, 1924, and was a 1-6 graduate of Bay City High School; a committed patriot, Mr. Craft 1-7 entered the U.S. Armed Forces at a time when our nation needed them 1-8 most, serving with the Army Air Corps during World War II; and 1-9 WHEREAS, He saw extensive action in the South Pacific with 1-10 the 5th Bombardment Group of the 13th Air Force and attained the 1-11 rank of 1st lieutenant before the Allied forces' victory allowed 1-12 him to return home to Texas; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In the years following the war, Mr. Craft began a 1-14 respected career with Phillips Petroleum and also initiated a 1-15 tradition of civic involvement and concern that would define the 1-16 rest of his life; and 1-17 WHEREAS, He was an active member of both the American Legion, 1-18 Post 11, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2438; in addition, 1-19 he served as president and was a life member of the Bay City Lions 1-20 Club, coordinating and completing much good work through his many 1-21 years with this noted group; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to bettering his hometown, 1-23 Mr. Craft also served in a variety of city offices; he was director 1-24 of the chamber of commerce, a member of the appraisal board for 2-1 five years, and a member of the city council for six years, and he 2-2 served two terms with the Bay City I.S.D. board as well; and 2-3 WHEREAS, This dedicated and enterprising citizen was also the 2-4 successful owner of Craft Furniture Store, and he held positions as 2-5 president of the Texas Marketing Guild and director of the Home 2-6 Furnishings International Association and was named Retailer of the 2-7 Year in 1983; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Craft was a powerful and effective force on many 2-9 fronts, from patriot and public-spirited businessman to his roles 2-10 as beloved husband, father, and grandfather; though his presence 2-11 will be deeply missed, his spirit surely lives on in the hearts and 2-12 memories of the many people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, 2-13 be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Frank Sinclair Craft, 2-16 Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 2-17 his wife, Eileen; to his son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Marcy 2-18 Craft; to his daughter and son-in-law, Jeannie and Mark Finlay; to 2-19 his grandchildren, Cody and Blayne Finlay, and Chad and Courtney 2-20 Craft; and to all the relatives and friends of this remarkable 2-21 Texan; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-25 Frank Sinclair Craft, Sr. Uher _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 824 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 14, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House