1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 744 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Ottis E. Lock 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 1-7 of East Texas and the entire State of Texas in celebrating the life 1-8 of former State Senator and State Representative Ottis E. Lock of 1-9 Lufkin, who died August 15, 1998; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Born on July 28, 1910, on a small farm in 1-11 Angelina County, he attended public schools at nearby Zavalla, 1-12 graduated from high school at Rusk Academy, and worked his way 1-13 through college at Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College, where 1-14 he received a teacher's certificate and a bachelor of science degree 1-15 in history and education; and 1-16 WHEREAS, While simultaneously serving as a teacher, basketball 1-17 coach, band director, principal, superintendent, and bus driver in 1-18 the Laneville public schools, he educated himself in the law through 1-19 independent study and summer courses at The University of Texas 1-20 School of Law and became a licensed attorney by passing the State 1-21 Bar exam; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Elected to the House of Representatives in 1938, he 1-23 served his constituents for 10 years in the House before moving on 1-24 to represent his East Texas district for 10 years in the Senate, 2-1 where he served on 15 different committees, and as chair of the 2-2 Senate Committee on Nominations and the Senate Committee on Finance; 2-3 and 2-4 WHEREAS, During World War II, although exempt from military 2-5 service as a member of the legislature, he enlisted as a buck 2-6 private in the United States Army and went on to serve his country 2-7 as a second lieutenant in Army counter-intelligence while continuing 2-8 his service in the House, having won reelection while on active 2-9 duty; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Throughout his 20 years as a member of the 2-11 Texas Legislature, Senator Lock was noted for his behind-the-scenes 2-12 leadership, his strong advocacy of public education, and his desire 2-13 to make state government more effective and economical; and 2-14 WHEREAS, As a champion of educational opportunity for all, he 2-15 personally drafted the three bills that formed the cornerstones of 2-16 the Gilmer-Aikin bills and was the author of the bill establishing 2-17 the Foundation School Program; he also authored the bill creating 2-18 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and 2-19 WHEREAS, At the end of his 20 years in the legislature, 2-20 veteran legislators and school officials said there had not been 2-21 a piece of legislation passed on behalf of the schools in the past 2-22 two decades that Ottis Lock had not either written or helped write; 2-23 and 2-24 WHEREAS, A highly acclaimed statesman and public servant, 2-25 he declined the urging of many to seek the office of governor 2-26 or lieutenant governor, and instead, set forth in 1959 to devote 3-1 more time to his growing family and to a 15-year career in Lufkin 3-2 with Southland Paper Mills, a company that rose to international 3-3 prominence as a manufacturer of newsprint; and 3-4 WHEREAS, After completion of his tenure in the 3-5 Texas Legislature, he continued his civic activities through 3-6 many organizations; he served as president of the Lufkin school 3-7 board, as a member of the State Senior Colleges Board of Regents 3-8 (the forerunner of today's Texas State University System), as a 3-9 member and chairman of the Texas Public Safety Commission, and as 3-10 president of the Lufkin Youth Baseball Association; and 3-11 WHEREAS, Senator Lock was quick to give others the credit and 3-12 slow to accept tribute for his accomplishments, and his willingness 3-13 to accept awards and honors, such as being named a distinguished 3-14 alumnus of Stephen F. Austin State University in 1968, was the 3-15 exception rather than the rule; and 3-16 WHEREAS, He enjoyed the greatest respect of his colleagues 3-17 in his many areas of public service; his legacy of unflagging 3-18 support for educational opportunities and service to others will 3-19 have a lasting impact on this state; those who were privileged to 3-20 share his friendship will long miss his advice and counsel; now, 3-21 therefore, be it 3-22 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-23 76th Legislature, hereby pay homage to the lifetime of selfless 3-24 service of Senator Ottis E. Lock and extend sincere condolences 3-25 to the members of his family: his wife of 52 years, 3-26 Viola Williamson Lock; his sons, Jim R. Lock, Ben W. Lock, and 4-1 Joe A. Lock; his sister, Margie Lock Hartson; his daughters-in-law, 4-2 Marsha Lock and Robin Lock; and his granddaughters, Cate and 4-3 Alison Lock; and, be it further 4-4 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 4-5 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 4-6 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so 4-7 in memory of the Honorable Ottis E. Lock. 4-8 Truan 4-9 Armbrister Gallegos Nixon 4-10 Barrientos Harris Ogden 4-11 Bernsen Haywood Ratliff 4-12 Bivins Jackson Shapiro 4-13 Brown Lindsay Shapleigh 4-14 Cain Lucio Sibley 4-15 Carona Luna Wentworth 4-16 Duncan Madla West 4-17 Ellis Moncrief Whitmire 4-18 Fraser Nelson Zaffirini 4-19 Perry, President of the Senate 4-20 ______________________________________ 4-21 President of the Senate 4-22 I hereby certify that the above 4-23 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-24 on April 26, 1999, by a rising vote. 4-25 ______________________________________ 4-26 Secretary of the Senate 4-27 ______________________________________ 4-28 Dean of the Senate