1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1214 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Belton Kleberg Johnson 1-6 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens 1-7 across the state in mourning the loss of a legendary Texan, 1-8 Belton Kleberg Johnson, who died May 19, 2001, at age 71; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A multimillionaire rancher-businessman who was 1-10 the great-grandson of King Ranch founder Captain Richard King, 1-11 Belton Johnson was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 1-12 November 23, 1929; orphaned at a young age, he came to Texas 1-13 and was raised by his aunt and uncle on the King Ranch; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Educated at Deerfield Academy, Cornell University, 1-15 and Stanford University School of Business, Mr. Johnson served his 1-16 country faithfully in Korea as a lieutenant in the United States 1-17 Army; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Following his military service, Belton Johnson 1-19 returned home to Texas; he eventually acquired his own beloved 1-20 ranch, the Chaparrosa, in 1959, which became famous as the home 1-21 of Santa Gertrudis purebred cattle herds; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A man of many talents, interests, and ambitions, 2-2 Mr. Johnson assumed the role of astute, modern businessman with 2-3 the same enthusiasm and ease that he brought to his career in 2-4 ranching; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was the senior director of AT&T for 2-6 many years and held numerous other directorships, including 2-7 Tenneco, Campbell Soup, Signal Companies, and Hamilton Brothers 2-8 Oil Company; and 2-9 WHEREAS, In addition to his business ventures, Belton Johnson 2-10 established his own ranching enterprise, Belton K. Johnson 2-11 Interests, comprised of the Chaparrosa, Carmel Ranch Company in 2-12 California, Rancho La Puerta de Agua Dulce, and the Black Creek 2-13 Ranch; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Committed to numerous charitable endeavors, 2-15 Mr. Johnson was a leader for many years in the San Antonio United 2-16 Way campaigns and served on the board of governors of the United 2-17 Way of America; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Prominent not only in Texas, but also nationally 2-19 and internationally, Belton Johnson embodied the very spirit of 2-20 his native state; he was the quintessential Texan, a cowboy who, 2-21 through his foresight and determination, forged his own ranching 2-22 empire and in doing so, made indelible contributions to the 2-23 history and character of his state; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-2 77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family 3-3 of Belton Kleberg Johnson: his wife, Laura McAllister Johnson; his 3-4 daughters and sons-in-law, Sarah Johnson Pitt and Steve Pitt and 3-5 Cecilia Johnson McMurrey and Mark McMurrey; his daughter-in-law, 3-6 Cecilia Johnson Hager; his grandchildren, Alice, Henry, Sarita, 3-7 Allegra, and Stephen; and his great-grandchildren, Harry, Belton, 3-8 and Estella; and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 3-10 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, 3-11 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in honor of 3-12 Belton Kleberg Johnson. 3-13 Wentworth 3-14 ______________________________________ 3-15 President of the Senate 3-16 I hereby certify that the above 3-17 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-18 on May 25, 2001, by a rising vote. 3-19 ______________________________________ 3-20 Secretary of the Senate 3-21 ______________________________________ 3-22 Member, Texas Senate