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