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