R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of former Smithville Mayor Albert E.
 1-2     Crawford on March 3, 1999, at the age of 76, has brought a great
 1-3     loss to the family and friends of this beloved gentleman; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Born March 26, 1914, in Bastrop, Mr. Crawford
 1-5     graduated from Georgetown High School in 1931 before attending the
 1-6     University of Georgetown; in 1935 he moved to Smithville and
 1-7     established the Crawford Dry Cleaning and Laundry Plant; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford operated his business until 1942 when
 1-9     he entered the military to serve as a glider pilot in the South
1-10     Pacific Theater, and he achieved the rank of first lieutenant
1-11     before his return to civilian life in 1946; once he returned to
1-12     Smithville he reopened his dry-cleaning business and continued in
1-13     that profession until his retirement in 1969; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford was involved in the Smithville
1-15     community as a member of the school board and the Hospital
1-16     Authority Board; he was instrumental in the organization of Lost
1-17     Pines National Bank of Smithville in 1982, and after its
1-18     establishment he remained involved by serving on the board of
1-19     directors; he served as the city's mayor from 1970 to 1976; and
1-20           WHEREAS, A civic-minded individual, Mr. Crawford was
1-21     appointed veterans service officer for Bastrop County and served in
1-22     that capacity until 1992; in addition he was a member of the
1-23     American Legion, the Smithville Heritage Society, and the VFW where
1-24     he served in a variety of positions and was V-Commander for one
 2-1     year; he was also a member of the First Christian Church of
 2-2     Smithville; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Mr. Crawford touched the lives of many people, and
 2-4     his unique spirit will surely live on for years to come in the
 2-5     hearts of all those who were privileged to know him; now,
 2-6     therefore, be it
 2-7           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-8     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Albert E. Crawford
 2-9     and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his
2-10     wife, Hazel Kastner Crawford; to his daughter and son-in-law,
2-11     Francis Crawford Welch and her husband Dan Welch; to his sisters,
2-12     Laura Amelia Lumpkin and Katherine Rodgers; to his brother, Joseph
2-13     David Crawford and his wife Sophia Crawford; to his stepchildren,
2-14     Kelly Wayne Kastner and Sharon Kastner Koster and her husband
2-15     Robert Koster; to his grandchildren Laura Kathleen and Sean Welch;
2-16     and to the many other relatives and friends of this distinguished
2-17     gentleman; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-20     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-21     Albert E. Crawford.
                                                                        Cook
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 882 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on May 22, 1999.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House