1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1234 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pleasure in 1-4 honoring Vann Kennedy, a most distinguished Texas citizen whose 1-5 career in journalism has been transcendent; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Alabama, Vann was born in 1905; he moved 1-7 to Texas in 1919, and his affiliation with the newspaper business 1-8 began soon afterwards when he was hired to deliver newspapers; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Vann's first experience as a journalist came when 1-10 he served as police beat reporter for the San Antonio Express; he 1-11 later moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas; he soon 1-12 found work keeping Austinites abreast of events at the Capitol as 1-13 a writer for the Austin Statesman; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In 1931 Vann made a critical move in his career when 1-15 he traveled to New York to persuade the International News Service 1-16 to open an Austin bureau; his efforts successful, Vann set up a 1-17 small office in the Texas Capitol, hiring a young Walter Cronkite 1-18 to be his assistant; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Journalism not only provided Vann with a fulfilling 1-20 career, it allowed him to meet his wife, Mary Louise Witliff, 1-21 who also worked as a reporter in the Capitol; in 1940, the couple 2-1 married, and theirs has been a long and successful union; and 2-2 WHEREAS, During his time in Austin, Vann's talent became 2-3 apparent to the most influential leaders in Texas; he served on 2-4 the campaign of Governor James Allred and served as a speech writer 2-5 for such notable Texans as John Nance Garner, Sam Rayburn, and 2-6 Lyndon B. Johnson; Vann also served as secretary of the Texas 2-7 Democratic Party for 10 Democratic conventions; and 2-8 WHEREAS, World War II brought new opportunities for Vann 2-9 to distinguish himself; he first served the war effort as public 2-10 relations official for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, a 2-11 position he had been hand picked for by the organization's leader, 2-12 Oveta Culp Hobby; and 2-13 WHEREAS, As a member of the United States Army, Vann served 2-14 the Defense Department in Alaska and China, managing communications 2-15 lines and broadcasts; he left the army as a full colonel and as 2-16 the recipient of the Battle Star for his efforts in the Salween 2-17 Campaign; he also received the Breast Order of the Yun Hui from 2-18 the Republic of China; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Vann returned home in 1946 and continued his work in 2-20 the field of journalism; he and his wife moved to Corpus Christi, 2-21 where Vann expanded his interests in the communications industry 2-22 by opening a radio and television station; and 2-23 WHEREAS, As with his career in print journalism, Vann's 3-1 radio and television ventures proved successful; he has served 3-2 on the radio and television affiliate boards of CBS Television 3-3 and served two terms on the Texas Association of Broadcasters 3-4 Board of Directors; in 1973, the latter organization named him 3-5 Pioneer of the Year; and 3-6 WHEREAS, In an effort to encourage young Texans interested in 3-7 the field of communications, Vann actively worked to establish the 3-8 Texas Broadcast Education Foundation, an organization which has 3-9 helped more than 100 Texas college and university students in their 3-10 broadcast journalism studies; and 3-11 WHEREAS, This self-described "Southern boy" has done more 3-12 than earn a living through his work as a journalist; Vann is a 3-13 consummate professional whose talent and foresight have made him 3-14 a pioneer in the field of communications; a stellar Texan, Vann 3-15 will long be a source of pride and admiration for all who live 3-16 within the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it 3-17 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 3-18 77th Legislature, hereby honor Vann Kennedy for his 3-19 outstanding contributions to the broadcast industry and 3-20 the State of Texas; and, be it further 3-21 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 3-22 for Mr. Kennedy as an expression of highest esteem from the 3-23 Texas Senate. 3-24 Truan 4-1 Armbrister Gallegos Ogden 4-2 Barrientos Harris Shapiro 4-3 Bernsen Haywood Shapleigh 4-4 Bivins Jackson Sibley 4-5 Brown Lindsay Staples 4-6 Cain Lucio Van de Putte 4-7 Carona Madla Wentworth 4-8 Duncan Moncrief West 4-9 Ellis Nelson Whitmire 4-10 Fraser Zaffirini 4-11 Ratliff, President of the Senate 4-12 ______________________________________ 4-13 President of the Senate 4-14 I hereby certify that the above 4-15 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-16 on May 26, 2001. 4-17 ______________________________________ 4-18 Secretary of the Senate 4-19 ______________________________________ 4-20 Dean of the Senate