By Gray H.R. No. 896
76R15009 BE-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of John Woods Harris of Galveston, on
1-2 February 22, 1999, at the age of 105, has brought a great loss to
1-3 the family and many friends of this esteemed gentleman and to the
1-4 Galveston community of which he was such an integral part; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of the island city, Mr. Harris
1-6 was born there on September 23, 1893, and was among the last of the
1-7 survivors of the terrible hurricane of 1900 in which more than
1-8 7,000 Texans perished; and
1-9 WHEREAS, From the horse-and-buggy days of his youth to the
1-10 space age, Mr. Harris witnessed many remarkable advancements
1-11 throughout his long life; he was a pilot and instructor at the
1-12 Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, during World War I, and he
1-13 later joined the Early and Pioneer Aviators Association (the Golden
1-14 Eagles) and, until his death, was the oldest military pilot in the
1-15 country; and
1-16 WHEREAS, A 1920 law school graduate of the University of
1-17 Virginia, Mr. Harris returned to Galveston to manage his family's
1-18 oil, farm, and ranch properties and he soon began a prominent
1-19 career in banking; his 1974 retirement as chairman of the board of
1-20 First Hutchings-Sealy National Bank of Galveston brought to a close
1-21 more than 40 years of distinguished leadership; and
1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Harris was a man of committed civic action as
1-23 well, and numerous organizations benefited from his counsel and
1-24 energy; he served as director and vice president of the Sealy and
2-1 Smith Foundation for John Sealy Hospital, trustee and president of
2-2 the Rosenberg Library, member of the board and president of the
2-3 Galveston Orphans' Home, and as a trustee with the Galveston
2-4 Independent School District; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Many charitable associations also profited from
2-6 this dynamic and giving individual; groups as varied as the
2-7 Galveston Garden Club, the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America,
2-8 and the Galveston Historical Foundation were advanced by the
2-9 generosity of Mr. Harris; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Of particular importance to this remarkable
2-11 benefactor was the Galveston Foundation, Inc., established by
2-12 Mr. Harris and his beloved wife, the late Eugenia Harris, in 1973;
2-13 the Galveston Foundation is dedicated to making the city the
2-14 "Garden of the Gulf" through plantings and landscape improvements,
2-15 and it continues to accomplish great things in behalf of Galveston
2-16 residents; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Harris was widely hailed for his public-spirited
2-18 efforts, and among the many honors he received were recognition as
2-19 a Community Leader of America, Galveston's Boys' Club Man of the
2-20 Year, and the Rabbi Henry Cohen Humanitarian of the Year; he also
2-21 took pride in his membership in the American Judicature Society,
2-22 Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Texas Navy, and the American
2-23 Legion; and
2-24 WHEREAS, The presence of this renowned Galveston businessman,
2-25 family man, and philanthropist will be deeply missed, but his
2-26 spirit lives on through a legacy of community work that has touched
2-27 the lives of countless Texans, and it is indeed fitting to honor
3-1 his memory at this time; now, therefore, be it
3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
3-3 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Woods Harris and
3-4 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-5 daughters, Eugenia Campbell and Joan Kelso; to his 14 grandchildren
3-6 and 19 great-grandchildren; and to his many other friends and
3-7 relatives; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-10 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-11 John Woods Harris.