By Berman H.R. No. 410 77R8068 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On March 16, 2001, the Family Land Heritage program 1-2 of the Texas Department of Agriculture is recognizing the farm 1-3 established by Benjamin Bryant Beaird as a Family Land Heritage 1-4 Farm, and this auspicious occasion provides a perfect opportunity 1-5 to honor this enduring farm and its distinguished namesake; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Located in Smith County, Beaird Farm was founded in 1-7 1868 by Mr. Beaird and has been in continuous operation by the 1-8 Beaird family since that time; the farm's esteemed founder was 1-9 indeed a noteworthy gentleman who devoted much of his life to 1-10 serving his fellow Texans; and 1-11 WHEREAS, While he was a young boy, Mr. Beaird's family moved 1-12 from Alabama to Texas and eventually settled in Tyler in 1852; 1-13 after bravely fighting in the Civil War, he returned to Tyler and 1-14 on December 14, 1865, married the former Mary Ann Adams; a 1-15 self-taught lawyer, he would be admitted to the bar and go on to 1-16 practice law in Tyler for many years; and 1-17 WHEREAS, During this time, Mr. Beaird not only established 1-18 his farm but also began his noteworthy career of public service to 1-19 Tyler, Smith County, and the Lone Star State; he served with 1-20 distinction as president of the Smith County Fair Association for 1-21 two years, as county commissioner for one term, and in the Texas 1-22 Legislature during the 24th and 25th legislative sessions; and 1-23 WHEREAS, He was the county judge of Smith County for four 1-24 terms and was also active as ex officio county superintendent of 2-1 schools; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In 1910, Mr. Beaird was elected mayor of Tyler, a 2-3 position he held until his death in 1915; the newspaper account of 2-4 his funeral reported that "practically every business" in Tyler 2-5 closed for the funeral and public schools were dismissed for the 2-6 day, and that "no citizen enjoyed a more extensive acquaintance nor 2-7 had more friends" than Mayor Beaird; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Benjamin Bryant Beaird was truly a prominent leader 2-9 of the Lone Star State, and as the farm that he established many 2-10 decades ago is recognized by the Family Land Heritage program of 2-11 the Texas Department of Agriculture, it is most fitting that we pay 2-12 tribute to his legacy and commend his descendents who have kept the 2-13 Beaird farming tradition alive; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby honor the life and achievements of Benjamin 2-16 Bryant Beaird and extend warm congratulations to the present 2-17 generation of the Beaird family on receiving recognition from the 2-18 Family Land Heritage program; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for the Beaird family as an expression of high regard by 2-21 the Texas House of Representatives.