1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 441 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Izean Franklin Davidson 1-6 WHEREAS, The death of a familiar and highly respected figure 1-7 in Texas politics was mourned by the citizens of Fort Worth and 1-8 Tarrant County when Izean Franklin Davidson died recently at the 1-9 age of 85; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A retired Fort Worth schoolteacher, Mrs. Davidson 1-11 was a well-known political activist who had been an enormous help 1-12 in getting candidates elected to office; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Much of her effectiveness was derived from her 1-14 determination; she had extensive, well-organized phone banks, 1-15 which she had run for 20 years; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davidson put candidates in the heart of the 1-17 black community, and she could always get out the vote, sometimes 1-18 by simply telling people to call her if they needed a ride to the 1-19 polls; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Especially famous for her success in southeast 1-21 Fort Worth, she was a resident of Rolling Hills and was a stalwart 1-22 in the African American community; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davidson was tireless in her support of 1-24 candidates and causes such as children, education, and the 2-1 African Methodist Episcopal Church; her influence was widespread 2-2 and reached from Baker Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church 2-3 to the state capital and beyond; and 2-4 WHEREAS, A reading teacher for years in Fort Worth who 2-5 taught many of the city's black leaders, she influenced at least 2-6 three generations in her community as a church worker, as an 2-7 educator, and as a community and political activist; and 2-8 WHEREAS, The energy of this elegant and petite lady was 2-9 one of her most remarkable traits, a quality she had possessed 2-10 since she was a child; and 2-11 WHEREAS, A Tarrant County delegate to the 1992 Democratic 2-12 Convention, Mrs. Davidson was invited to the inauguration of 2-13 President Bill Clinton; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Brimming with enthusiasm for her favorite causes, 2-15 she was on the board of the local Sickle Cell Disease Association 2-16 of America, the local blood bank, the Young Women's Christian 2-17 Association of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, and the local 2-18 chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of 2-19 Colored People; and 2-20 WHEREAS, Her favorite honor was the school named for her, 2-21 the Davidson-Houston Academy for school-age children, at Paul Quinn 2-22 College; the legacy of compassion and commitment she leaves will be 2-23 remembered forever; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-25 76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 2-26 family of Izean Franklin Davidson; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her 3-2 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, 3-3 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-4 Izean Franklin Davidson. 3-5 Moncrief 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 President of the Senate 3-8 I hereby certify that the above 3-9 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-10 on March 18, 1999, by a rising vote. 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 Secretary of the Senate 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Member, Texas Senate