1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 280
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                        The Honorable Frank Owen III
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens
 1-7     of El Paso and Texans across the state in mourning the loss of
 1-8     Frank Owen III, who died February 20, 1999, at the age of 72; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Born February 25, 1926, in El Paso, Texas,
1-10     Frank Owen served as a tail gunner on a B-17 in the United States
1-11     Army Air Corps during World War II; he graduated from
1-12     The University of Texas School of Law in 1951 and became
1-13     a prominent Lower Valley cotton farmer and an avid raiser
1-14     of registered Appaloosa horses; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Mr. Owen was active in numerous organizations,
1-16     including the El Paso Bar Association, the Texas Bar Association,
1-17     the American Bar Association, and the Texas Trial Lawyers
1-18     Association; he was active in the El Paso Sheriff's Posse and
1-19     was the founding director and chairman of the board of American
1-20     Bank of Commerce; and
1-21           WHEREAS, A longtime leading political figure in our state,
1-22     Frank Owen served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1951
1-23     through 1954 and in the Texas Senate from 1955 to 1965; and
1-24           WHEREAS, While serving in the Texas Legislature, he
 2-1     was chairman of the Federal Relations Committee and the Oil
 2-2     and Gas Committee and was vice chairman of the Water Conservation
 2-3     Committee; he was named President Pro Tempore for the Texas Senate
 2-4     and was Governor for a Day for Texas on January 6, 1961; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Frank Owen was dedicated to his work in the
 2-6     legislature and consistently strived to contribute to the
 2-7     betterment of Texas; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, he was
 2-9     respected in the El Paso community and throughout the state for
2-10     his many accomplishments and leadership; and
2-11           WHEREAS, He was a devout Christian and was an active member
2-12     of Trinity First United Methodist Church; and
2-13           WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he
2-14     gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, warmth,
2-15     and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him;
2-16     and
2-17           WHEREAS, Frank Owen was a devoted husband, father, and
2-18     grandfather who lived his life to the fullest, and he leaves
2-19     behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family
2-20     and many friends; now, therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-22     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
2-23     bereaved family of Frank Owen III:  his wife, Marianne Farrier Owen;
2-24     his sons, Frank Owen IV and William Farrier Owen; his daughters,
2-25     Catherine Anne Owen Woodul, Virginia Ruth Owen Roberts,
2-26     Robin Owen Grambling, and Lorrie Owen Ballinger; his sister,
 3-1     Chickie Bowden; and his 15 grandchildren; and, be it further
 3-2           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
 3-3     members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
 3-4     the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it
 3-5     do so in memory of Frank Owen III.
 3-6                                                               Shapleigh
 3-7                                  ______________________________________
 3-8                                         President of the Senate
 3-9                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-10                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-11                                  on February 24, 1999, by a rising vote.
3-12                                  ______________________________________
3-13                                         Secretary of the Senate
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                           Member, Texas Senate