1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 166
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                           Frances Schneider Mertz
 1-6           WHEREAS, Frances Schneider Mertz, one of the most
 1-7     distinguished citizens of San Angelo, died on January 21, 2001,
 1-8     at the age of 44, and her death is a great loss to her family,
 1-9     her many friends, and the citizens of her community; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Born December 14, 1956, in Galveston, she was the
1-11     daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Schneider and was the eldest of
1-12     six children; she grew up in Austin, Texas, where she developed
1-13     a deep sense of family; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Frances went to The University of Texas at Austin,
1-15     where she was Mortar Board president, Cactus Outstanding Student,
1-16     and Queen of the Austin Aqua Festival; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Mrs. Mertz had a deep love of learning and was
1-18     involved in her children's education; she was a tireless fund
1-19     raiser for Angelo Catholic Schools, and served as president of
1-20     Angelo Catholic School board; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Frances was a woman of great civic pride, and her
 2-2     love of education led to the founding of the San Angelo Nature
 2-3     Center, where schoolchildren can learn the wonders of the natural
 2-4     world; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, A woman who contributed a great deal of her time
 2-6     to worthy causes, she was a board member of the Junior League of
 2-7     San Angelo, the Symphony Guild, Girl Scouts of America, Central
 2-8     High School Parent-Teachers Association, and the Colorado Water
 2-9     Authority; and
2-10           WHEREAS, A dedicated worker, Mrs. Mertz gave her untiring
2-11     support to her chosen causes; she also developed the idea of the
2-12     Wool Capital Landmark which welcomes travelers to San Angelo, and
2-13     she recently helped collect $14,000 for new computers and equipment
2-14     for her beloved Angelo Catholic Schools; and
2-15           WHEREAS, Truly a pillar of her community, Mrs. Mertz was
2-16     a noteworthy citizen who provided wise leadership and made many
2-17     lasting contributions to her community and her state; though her
2-18     intelligence and compassion will be greatly missed, her memory will
2-19     serve as an inspiration to all who knew this remarkable woman; now,
2-20     therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-22     77th Legislature, hereby honor the life of Frances Schneider Mertz
2-23     and extend sincere condolences to her bereaved family:  her husband,
2-24     Len Mertz; her daughter, Madolyn Mertz; her sons, James, Phillip,
 3-1     and Louis; her parents, Dr. John and Ellie Schneider; her brothers,
 3-2     John and James; and her sisters, Phyllis, Mary, and Catherine; and,
 3-3     be it further
 3-4           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
 3-5     the members of her family as an expression of deepest sympathy
 3-6     from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
 3-7     day, it do so in memory of Frances Schneider Mertz.
 3-8                                                               Wentworth
 3-9                                  ______________________________________
3-10                                          President of the Senate
3-11                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-12                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-13                                  on February 1, 2001, by a rising vote.
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-16                                  ______________________________________
3-17                                           Member, Texas Senate