R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has suffered an immeasurable loss
1-2 with the death of the Reverend Michael W. Smith of Pipe Creek on
1-3 May 23, 2001, at the age of 64; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Truly a man for all seasons, he was a pastor,
1-5 educator, sociologist, political activist, encourager of students,
1-6 champion of difficult causes, ardent learner, and lover of life in
1-7 all its diversity; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Born on August 15, 1936, in Fort Worth, he spent
1-9 much of his youth in Brownsville, and after graduating from high
1-10 school there he attended Texas A&M University and earned a
1-11 bachelor's degree in history and religion from Baylor University, a
1-12 master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological
1-13 Seminary, and a master's degree in sociology and religion from
1-14 Trinity University; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Reverend Smith assisted in the establishment of
1-16 Western Hills Baptist Church in Fort Worth and was its first
1-17 associate pastor; after sharing his faith and leadership with
1-18 congregations in Austin, San Antonio, and New Braunfels, he was
1-19 ordained to the Presbyterian ministry and served as pastor of Hope
1-20 Presbyterian Church in San Antonio for 21 years; and
1-21 WHEREAS, Among the many organizations that benefited from his
1-22 involvement were the Hispanic Ministries Council, Emmanuel and Beth
1-23 El Presbyterian churches, Habitat for Humanity, San Antonio
1-24 Metropolitan Ministries, Nuestra Casa, Project F.R.E.E., the
2-1 American Civil Liberties Union, the City of San Antonio Commission
2-2 on Children and Families, Southwest Winners Preparatory School, and
2-3 Planned Parenthood; and
2-4 WHEREAS, For 27 years Reverend Smith shared his talents as a
2-5 professor of sociology at St. Philip's College, where he was
2-6 instrumental in the development of programs in social work,
2-7 marriage and family, criminology, and contemporary social problems,
2-8 as well as telecourses to make classes accessible to a wider range
2-9 of students; and
2-10 WHEREAS, He took great satisfaction in seeing students
2-11 develop their potential and move forward in their lives to achieve
2-12 their personal goals and also shared his ability to inspire young
2-13 people with students at Incarnate Word and St. Mary's University;
2-14 in 1985, he was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award by the
2-15 College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin for his
2-16 impressive contributions to higher education; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Passionately committed to the betterment of his
2-18 community, this self-described "true blue, brass collared, yellow
2-19 dog Democrat" was active in politics at the local, state, and
2-20 national levels and took particular interest in civil rights and
2-21 environmental issues; and
2-22 WHEREAS, Reverend Smith is remembered for his marvelous sense
2-23 of humor, his zest for living, his far-ranging interests, his
2-24 caring heart, his eloquence in sharing his faith, his commitment to
2-25 helping the disenfranchised, his impact on the lives of his
2-26 students, his leadership in educational, ecumenical, and
2-27 denominational endeavors, his fondness for capturing precious
3-1 moments on film, the cogency of his frequent letters to the editor
3-2 regarding subjects about which he felt passionate, and so much
3-3 more, for he lived his life with joy, faith, hope, and love; now,
3-4 therefore, be it
3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
3-6 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Reverend Michael
3-7 W. Smith and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
3-8 to his devoted wife of 27 years, Velia Dominguez Smith, and to his
3-9 other loved ones, including daughter Victoria Ysenia and son-in-law
3-10 Hunter Buescher, daughter Celia and son-in-law Abel Guzman and
3-11 their son Austin, daughter Marcie and son-in-law Ray Perme and
3-12 their children, daughter Lisa and her daughters Stephanie and
3-13 Analisa Cruz, son Christopher Michael and daughter-in-law Debra
3-14 Smith and their son, Conner Christopher, his mother Dina Everett
3-15 Smith, and his sister Patricia S. Wooley; and, be it further
3-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-17 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-18 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-19 the Reverend Michael W. Smith.
McClendon
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1440 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 28, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House