1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 483 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Zac Lentz 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 1-7 of Victoria and Texans across the state in mourning the loss of 1-8 Zac Lentz, who died Monday, March 5, 2001, at the age of 87; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Born April 27, 1913, in Red Rock, Texas, Zac Lentz 1-10 was a farmer and a leading Texas citizen who played a major role 1-11 in shaping the City of Victoria and its surrounding area; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Long recognized as a giant in the Victoria 1-13 community, Zac Lentz dedicated his life to improving the lives 1-14 of fellow Texans and the infrastructure of Southeast Texas; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Zac Lentz graduated from Texas A&M University and 1-16 moved with his wife, Evelyn, to Victoria during the late 1930s; 1-17 he entered the grocery business with $3,000 that he borrowed from 1-18 his father, and he proceeded to build an entrepreneurship that 1-19 included a hardware store, banks, farm and ranch holdings, and 1-20 various investments; Mr. Lentz was the founder and president of 1-21 the South Texas Savings and Loan Association, a founder of the 1-22 American Bank of Commerce, and a director of Victoria's NCNB 2-1 Texas bank; and 2-2 WHEREAS, A well-known community leader as early as the 2-3 1940s, Zac Lentz helped to organize the Victoria Livestock Show 2-4 and then served for years as its general chairman; in 1949, he 2-5 was named Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Victoria 2-6 Jaycees, a group he had helped to create; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Mr. Lentz and the late 2-8 Tom O'Connor, Jr., were co-chairmen in the effort that led 2-9 to the construction of the city's Victoria Community Center; 2-10 Zac Lentz is also credited with playing a large role in the 2-11 development of the Victoria Barge Canal and the acquisition 2-12 by Victoria County of Foster Field, now the Victoria Regional 2-13 Airport; and 2-14 WHEREAS, In 1992, Mr. Lentz was awarded the University of 2-15 Houston-Victoria's highest honor, the Presidential Medal for his 2-16 efforts to establish the university; he was responsible for the 2-17 millions of dollars worth of highway projects that have helped to 2-18 keep Victoria's traffic problems at bay; he personally secured the 2-19 votes for the Zac Lentz Parkway and was responsible for extensive 2-20 road improvement, the construction of Loop 463, and the much-needed 2-21 widening of a number of area highways; and 2-22 WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, Mr. Lentz was appointed by 2-23 Speaker of the House Gus Mutscher to a committee to study the 2-24 duties and ethics of the Texas Legislature; in the 1980s, he 3-1 served on the state's Committee of 100 for the Merit Selection of 3-2 Judges and was co-chairman of Texans for a Conservative Congress; 3-3 and 3-4 WHEREAS, In recent years, Mr. Lentz successfully led 3-5 efforts to pass Victoria's half-cent sales tax and to approve bonds 3-6 to expand the county jail, upgrade schools, and improve Victoria's 3-7 drinking water system; and 3-8 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, Zac Lentz 3-9 was held in the highest respect by the people of Victoria and by 3-10 politicians and leaders across our state; he was a delegate to the 3-11 Democratic national conventions in the 1950s and 1960s and worked 3-12 on campaigns to elect John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and 3-13 John Connally; and 3-14 WHEREAS, A man of exceptional integrity, strength, and 3-15 generosity, he gave unselfishly of his time to the City of Victoria, 3-16 to his state, and to his fellowman, and his wisdom, warmth, and 3-17 valued counsel will not be forgotten; and 3-18 WHEREAS, Zac Lentz lived his life to the fullest and was a 3-19 devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind 3-20 memories that will be treasured forever by his family and many 3-21 friends; now, therefore, be it 3-22 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-23 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 4-1 bereaved family of Zac Lentz: his wife, Evelyn Lentz; his 4-2 daughters, Joan Shipnes and Linda Elmore; his brother, Tom Lentz; 4-3 and his five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and, be 4-4 it further 4-5 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the 4-6 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 4-7 Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so 4-8 in memory of Zac Lentz. 4-9 Armbrister 4-10 ______________________________________ 4-11 President of the Senate 4-12 I hereby certify that the above 4-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-14 on March 15, 2001, by a rising vote. 4-15 ______________________________________ 4-16 Secretary of the Senate 4-17 ______________________________________ 4-18 Member, Texas Senate