1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 793 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize a new state historical marker, which will be dedicated 1-5 to former governor Oran Milo Roberts in a public ceremony on 1-6 Saturday, May 8, 1999; and 1-7 WHEREAS, O. M. Roberts was born in South Carolina; after 1-8 graduating from the University of Alabama, studying law, and serving 1-9 in the Alabama Legislature, O. M. moved to San Augustine, Texas, 1-10 where he opened a law practice; and 1-11 WHEREAS, O. M. was appointed district attorney in 1844 1-12 and, in 1846, became district judge; during the Civil War, he 1-13 was a leading secessionist; on February 1, 1857, he became an 1-14 associate justice of the Supreme Court of Texas; though elected 1-15 to the United States Senate after the war, O. M. Roberts was 1-16 denied his seat because of his prior anti-Union policies; and 1-17 WHEREAS, O. M. Roberts resumed his private practice from 1-18 1866 to 1874, when he was returned to the Supreme Court and served 1-19 as chief justice until he was elected governor of Texas in 1878; and 1-20 WHEREAS, His tenure was dedicated to reducing the state's 1-21 indebtedness; the opening of The University of Texas at Austin 1-22 in 1883 was among the outstanding accomplishments of his 1-23 administration; and 1-24 WHEREAS, After retiring from state politics, O. M. Roberts 2-1 taught law at The University of Texas and wrote prolifically 2-2 about the state and the events of his lifetime; notable among 2-3 his postgovernor accomplishments was his establishment of the 2-4 Texas State Historical Association; he served as the first 2-5 president of this organization and contributed several articles 2-6 to its Quarterly; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In 1882, Governor Roberts sold 100 acres of 2-8 land to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad; the town which 2-9 developed on that land bore his name; today, Roberts has long 2-10 disappeared, and the present-day town of Quinlan has since absorbed 2-11 its former territory; however, a historical marker dedicated to 2-12 O. M. Roberts will sit in front of Quinlan's newest high school; 2-13 and 2-14 WHEREAS, A new historical marker in Texas evidences 2-15 dedicated citizens who take pride in the history and culture 2-16 of the Lone Star State; historical societies and state history 2-17 enthusiasts play a vital role in preserving our Texas heritage, 2-18 and for their diligence, the Senate is profoundly grateful; now, 2-19 therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-21 76th Legislature, hereby celebrate the state's new historical 2-22 marker, which will be dedicated to the distinguished life of 2-23 former Texas Governor, Oran Milo Roberts, and extend best wishes 2-24 to the citizens who worked to establish the Roberts marker and 2-25 the students who organized the dedication ceremonies; and, be it 2-26 further 3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to 3-2 honor this notable event. 3-3 Cain 3-4 ______________________________________ 3-5 President of the Senate 3-6 I hereby certify that the above 3-7 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-8 on April 30, 1999. 3-9 ______________________________________ 3-10 Secretary of the Senate 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 Member, Texas Senate