By Telford H.R. No. 136 77R4766 MW-D 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.