HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of renowned painter and author Tom Lea 1-2 of El Paso on January 29, 2001, at the age of 93, brought a 1-3 profound sense of loss to his family and friends and to all the 1-4 people of Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in El Paso on July 11, 1907, Mr. Lea 1-6 demonstrated a natural flair for painting and drawing while still a 1-7 child; he attended the Art Institute of Chicago from 1924 to 1926, 1-8 before becoming an apprentice and assistant to Chicago muralist 1-9 John Norton; several years into his association with Mr. Norton, he 1-10 ventured overseas to further hone his craft; and 1-11 WHEREAS, During World War II, this intrepid gentleman worked 1-12 for Life magazine as a correspondent and illustrator; he documented 1-13 his experiences in two books, A Grizzly from the Coral Sea and 1-14 Peleliu Landing; after the conclusion of the war, he continued to 1-15 paint and received numerous accolades for his art; his various 1-16 pieces have appeared on prominent display in museums in Texas and 1-17 Washington, D.C., and the El Paso Museum of Art further honored him 1-18 when it opened the Tom Lea Gallery in 1998; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Lea also enjoyed a prolific career as the author 1-20 of many critically acclaimed books, including The King Ranch, The 1-21 Cantu Hands, and his autobiography, A Picture Gallery; his work, 1-22 The Brave Bulls, won the prestigious Carr P. Collins Award of the 1-23 Texas Institute of Letters for best book by a Texan, and he 1-24 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Laura Bush on behalf of 2-1 the Texas Book Festival; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Widely respected and admired for his amiable 2-3 personality, caring nature, and immense abilities, Mr. Lea enjoyed 2-4 a special place in the hearts of countless people, and his 2-5 immeasurable contributions in the fields of art and literature made 2-6 him one of our state's most distinguished native sons; it is with 2-7 deep appreciation and affection that we honor the memory of one of 2-8 the true treasures of the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-10 hereby pay tribute to the life of Tom Lea and extend sincere 2-11 sympathy to the members of his family; to his wife, Sara Dighton 2-12 Lea; to his son and his wife, Jim and Doris Lea; to his 2-13 granddaughter, Catherine Ann Faldyn; to his three great-grandsons; 2-14 and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 2-17 Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory 2-18 of Tom Lea. Chavez _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 131 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 29, 2001. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 131 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the Senate on April 9, 2001. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________________ Date __________________________ Governor