R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The family and friends of Wilbur Arthur Smith of
1-2 Texarkana were deeply saddened by the passing of this esteemed
1-3 Texan on January 19, 2001, at the age of 98; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on October 5, 1902, in Texarkana, Mr. Smith
1-5 graduated from Texas High School on May 23, 1919; his distinguished
1-6 professional career included working for Texarkana National Bank,
1-7 as an assistant traffic manager for Southwestern Transportation
1-8 Company, and as division manager and later emeritus agent for
1-9 Prudential Insurance Company; and
1-10 WHEREAS, Dedicated to the city in which he was born and
1-11 raised, Mr. Smith contributed his time and energy to numerous civic
1-12 organizations, serving as the first secretary of Texarkana Junior
1-13 Chamber of Commerce, as full-time secretary-manager of the Jaycees,
1-14 and as the director of the Texarkana Community Chest, which was a
1-15 predecessor to the United Way; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was also active as president of the
1-17 Texarkana Rotary Club and vice president of the Texarkana Chamber
1-18 of Commerce in addition to being district governor for Rotary
1-19 International; he was a master mason in Border Lodge 672 of
1-20 Texarkana for over 75 years, and he acted as president of the
1-21 Texarkana Pioneer Association three times; and
1-22 WHEREAS, A valued member of the Presbyterian Church of the
1-23 Redeemer, Mr. Smith served as a deacon for 13 years, as an elder
1-24 for many terms, and as superintendent of Sunday school for 18
2-1 years; he also was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 1 of Texarkana
2-2 and the Knights of Templar and Shrine; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Renowned for his city pride and devotion to the
2-4 history and people of Texarkana, Mr. Smith became a local celebrity
2-5 for his comprehensive knowledge of the town and its citizens, past
2-6 and present, as well as for his talent for storytelling; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was one of the founders of the Texarkana
2-8 Historical Society and Museum, and in 1973 he served as general
2-9 chairman of the Texarkana Centennial Celebration; in 1991 he was a
2-10 historical consultant for a pictorial history titled "Images of
2-11 Texarkana"; because of his overwhelming expertise in Texarkana
2-12 history, Mr. Smith was bestowed the title of Town Historian; and
2-13 WHEREAS, In addition to earning the admiration of the
2-14 townspeople, Mr. Smith acquired a host of accolades and honors,
2-15 including the C. E. Palmer Award, the city's highest award for
2-16 civic achievement, and on July 10, 1997, the rotary club renamed
2-17 itself the Wilbur Smith Texarkana Rotary Club in his honor;
2-18 moreover, in 1974 he was the recipient of the prestigious Paul
2-19 Harris Fellowship; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Denizens of both the Texas and Arkansas sides of
2-21 Texarkana greatly respected Mr. Smith, and as a tribute to him
2-22 March 21-23, 1980, were declared Wilbur Smith Days; the mayors on
2-23 both sides of Texarkana again gave this honor to Mr. Smith when
2-24 they named October 5, 1987, as Wilbur Smith Day; in 1992, the
2-25 Leadership Texarkana Alumni Association established the Annual
2-26 Wilbur Awards to exalt the "power of one"; and
2-27 WHEREAS, In Mr. Smith's passing, Texarkana and the State of
3-1 Texas lose an irreplaceable icon of immense talent, charm, and
3-2 loyalty; and although this remarkable man is gone from us now, his
3-3 spirit undoubtedly remains in the hearts of the many people whose
3-4 lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Wilbur Smith and extend
3-7 sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his niece,
3-8 Frances Hubbard; to his sister-in-law, Nettie Brown; to his three
3-9 great-nephews, Tom Collins, Griff Hubbard, and Chuck Collins; to
3-10 his great-niece, Harriet Hubbard Miller; to his six
3-11 great-great-nieces and -nephews; and to all his other relatives,
3-12 friends, and loved ones; and, be it further
3-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-14 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-15 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-16 Wilbur Arthur Smith.
Telford
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 136 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on January 31, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House