1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1097 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 The Honorable Martin Dies, Jr. 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins 1-7 citizens across the state in mourning the loss of the 1-8 Honorable Martin Dies, Jr., who died Monday, May 14, 2001, at 1-9 the age of 79; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Martin Dies, Jr., was a leading citizen and 1-11 legendary figure of our state, who as a lawmaker and judge left his 1-12 mark on the legal community and the citizens of Southeast Texas; 1-13 he was a resident of Beaumont for 30 years and was a model public 1-14 servant who was known for his impartiality and professionalism 1-15 while serving as Chief Justice of the Ninth Court of Appeals; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Born December 21, 1921, in Greenville, 1-17 Hunt County, Texas, Martin Dies was the eldest son of 1-18 United States Congressman Martin Dies, Sr., and Myrtle McAdams Dies; 1-19 he attended the University of Virginia and earned a bachelor of 1-20 science degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1942; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Martin Dies interrupted his college education to 1-22 volunteer for the United States Navy after our country entered 2-1 World War II in 1941; he was chosen to attend the Midshipman's 2-2 Officers Candidate School at Columbia University in New York City, 2-3 where he earned a Gold Sword upon graduation; he served with 2-4 distinction as an officer aboard the U.S.S. Richard W. Seusens 2-5 in the Pacific Theater and received numerous medals and citations; 2-6 following the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he and each of the men on his 2-7 ship received the Presidential Unit Citation for bravery in action, 2-8 one of the highest awards the Navy can confer; and 2-9 WHEREAS, In 1946, Martin Dies married Ruth Marie White, and 2-10 in 1947, he graduated from Southern Methodist University Law School; 2-11 he then practiced law in Lufkin with the firm of Dies, Anderson 2-12 and Dies; from 1959 to 1967, Martin Dies served as a state senator 2-13 and became widely known for his outstanding work on behalf of the 2-14 disabled; he was the author of Senate Bill 403, which created the 2-15 Lufkin School for Mentally Retarded Children; he also authored the 2-16 PKU Test Bill with the goal of preventing mental retardation; and 2-17 WHEREAS, As a member of the Senate, Martin Dies was known 2-18 for his dedication to his work on behalf of our state's park 2-19 system; he was a co-sponsor of the bill that created the 2-20 Toledo Bend Reservoir, which was praised nationally for its 2-21 construction without the use of tax money; he was honored by his 2-22 colleagues in the Senate and by the Texas Parks and Wildlife 2-23 Commission when a resolution was passed in 1965 naming the 2-24 748-acre park at Dam B Reservoir "The Martin Dies Jr. State Park"; 2-25 and 2-26 WHEREAS, In 1969, Martin Dies was named Secretary of State 3-1 under Governor Preston Smith; during his tenure, he was a moving 3-2 force in the enactment of the Technical Vocational Act of 1969 and 3-3 served as chairman of the first Texas Governor's Committee on Human 3-4 Relations and the Texas Lunar Landing Commission; and 3-5 WHEREAS, Martin Dies became Chief Justice of the Ninth 3-6 Court of Appeals in Beaumont in September of 1971 and served with 3-7 distinction until his retirement on August 31, 1989; from 1973 3-8 through 1980, Judge Dies served on the Texas Judicial Council, 3-9 which advises the Legislature and Governor, and he was a member 3-10 of the Judicial Manpower Commission; in 1980, he was the recipient 3-11 of the Texas Handicapped Person of the Year Award; and 3-12 WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, 3-13 Judge Dies was beloved and respected for his many accomplishments 3-14 and his exceptional leadership as a politician, statesman, and 3-15 judge; a role model for citizens across our state, he will be 3-16 remembered as a man of great courage and of the highest moral 3-17 and ethical standards; and 3-18 WHEREAS, Noted for his exceptional integrity, strength, 3-19 compassion, and generosity, Judge Dies gave unselfishly of his time 3-20 to his fellowman and his state, and his wisdom, warmth, and valued 3-21 counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and 3-22 WHEREAS, Judge Dies lived his life to the fullest and was 3-23 a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind 3-24 memories that will be treasured forever by his family and many 3-25 friends; now, therefore, be it 3-26 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 4-1 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved 4-2 family of Martin Dies, Jr.: his wife, Ruth Dies; his daughter and 4-3 son-in-law, Dianne Dies Schoch and Dr. Eugene P. Schoch III; his 4-4 sons and daughters-in-law, Martin W. Dies and David Dies and 4-5 Sharon Dies and Shelby Dies; his brother, Jack Dies; and his seven 4-6 grandchildren; and, be it further 4-7 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 4-8 the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy 4-9 from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, 4-10 it do so in memory of Martin Dies, Jr. 4-11 Bernsen, Staples, 4-12 Truan 4-13 ______________________________ _______________________________ 4-14 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 4-15 _______________________________ 4-16 Member, Texas Senate 4-17 _______________________________ 4-18 President of the Senate 4-19 I hereby certify that the 4-20 above Resolution was adopted by 4-21 the Senate on May 18, 2001, 4-22 by a rising vote. 4-23 _______________________________ 4-24 Secretary of the Senate