By Naishtat H.R. No. 635
77R10675 MDM-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Eugene Guy Bizzell of Austin on March
1-2 15, 2001, at the age of 87, has deeply saddened his family and the
1-3 many individuals whose lives he touched; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born on November 12, 1913, in Frankston, Texas, he
1-5 was a graduate of Lon Morris College, The University of Texas, and
1-6 Northwestern University and attended the Pasadena Playhouse School
1-7 of the Theater in California during summers while he was a UT
1-8 student; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Mr. Bizzell spent most of his distinguished 53-year
1-10 career as an educator teaching English and drama and coaching
1-11 debate teams in the Capitol City school system; in 1938 he joined
1-12 the faculty of Austin High School and was hired to teach at
1-13 McCallum High School in 1953; and
1-14 WHEREAS, This beloved educator created a classroom
1-15 environment that set the stage for achievement; he had a gift for
1-16 motivating his students, quoted Shakespeare on demand, and shared
1-17 with his young charges a true rapport; his fondness for his
1-18 students was evidenced by his choice of timepiece, for throughout
1-19 his lifetime he wore an engraved watch that had been given to him
1-20 by his students when he left to serve in the military during World
1-21 War II; when his driver's license expired while he was overseas,
1-22 Mr. Bizzell did not bother to renew it and instead enjoyed a daily
1-23 constitutional walking to and from school, a routine that also
1-24 pleased his students, who would often "happen upon" him and offer
2-1 him a lift, contributing to their mutual enjoyment; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Mr. Bizzell was deservedly named National Teacher of
2-3 the Year in 1957 and was honored at an Oval Office reception by
2-4 President Dwight D. Eisenhower; an outstanding speech and debate
2-5 coach as well, he turned countless young people into skilled
2-6 debaters during his career and shared his expertise for more than
2-7 20 years with his peers in the Texas Speech Communications
2-8 Association, which named him a Member Emeritus; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Though he retired in 1979, Mr. Bizzell was asked to
2-10 return on a part-time basis the next year to teach English as a
2-11 second language to foreign students, and he enthusiastically
2-12 embraced this new challenge over the course of the next nine years;
2-13 and
2-14 WHEREAS, In addition, he wrote numerous poems and authored
2-15 the book, Voice and Diction: Technical Exercises to Improve the
2-16 Use of the Vocal Mechanisms for Speaking, which he sent to
2-17 award-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, fostering a correspondence
2-18 between the two; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Bizzell chaired the committee that arranged for
2-20 social security benefits for Austin teachers and was a leader in a
2-21 number of professional organizations, including the local and state
2-22 retired teachers associations; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Guy Bizzell inspired the very best in those he
2-24 instructed, and he served as an exemplary role model to the many
2-25 people who knew and admired him throughout his lifetime; now,
2-26 therefore, be it
2-27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-1 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Eugene Guy Bizzell
3-2 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-3 wife of 53 years, Elisabeth Bizzell; to his children, Stephen,
3-4 Renee, and Janet Bizzell and Suzanne Casey; to his son-in-law, Dan
3-5 Casey; to his grandson, Kevin Casey; to his brother and
3-6 sister-in-law, Ferrell and Ruby Bizzell; and to the other relatives
3-7 and many friends of this extraordinary man; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-10 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-11 Eugene Guy Bizzell.