By Hochberg H.R. No. 123 77R4028 MW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Ben Klinger of Houston on November 1-2 26, 2000, at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to the family 1-3 and friends of this esteemed gentleman; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Houstonian, Mr. Klinger graduated from 1-5 Lamar High School in 1941 and was active for many years as a member 1-6 of that class's graduate association called the 41ers; during World 1-7 War II, this distinguished gentleman answered his country's call to 1-8 duty and served as a lieutenant with the 15th Air Force, 1-9 courageously navigating B-17s in 30 missions over Italy; and 1-10 WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Klinger returned home to help 1-11 with the family business, Klingers, until 1948 when he and his 1-12 wife, Alice, opened their own store, Variety Fair, in Rice Village; 1-13 fulfilling his dream of owning his own business, Mr. Klinger 1-14 remained involved in the operation of Variety Fair for 52 years; 1-15 and 1-16 WHEREAS, This successful Texan contributed greatly to the 1-17 prosperity of the Rice Village business community, and he was duly 1-18 recognized in 1988 when he was named the Chamber of Commerce 1-19 Citizen of the Year; the impact Mr. Klinger had on his community 1-20 and the genuine admiration and respect felt for him were expressed 1-21 during the poignant moment on December 3, 2000, at 3 p.m. when 1-22 Christ the King Lutheran Church tolled its bells 77 times in his 1-23 memory; and 1-24 WHEREAS, An active member of the Congregation Emanu El, 2-1 Mr. Klinger participated in its choir for many years; he served as 2-2 congregation treasurer and president of the Congregation Emanu El 2-3 PTA, and he was honored with the Congregant of the Year award in 2-4 1977; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Klinger will long be remembered for being a 2-6 loving husband and father, a skilled businessman, and an 2-7 outstanding citizen; moreover, his influence will forever be felt 2-8 because of the positive impact his life had on all who knew him, 2-9 and he will indeed live on in the hearts of those many people he so 2-10 deeply affected; now, therefore, be it 2-11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-12 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ben Klinger and 2-13 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife 2-14 of 56 years, Alice; to his children, Harold and Cyndy Klinger, and 2-15 Cathy and Buster Irby; to his five grandchildren; to his longtime 2-16 employee and family friend, Janet DeLeon; and to his many other 2-17 relatives and friends; and, be it further 2-18 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-19 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-20 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-21 Ben Klinger.