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