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By:  Hunter                                                       H.R. No. 145



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Raymond T. "Prof" Bynum of 
Abilene on August 1, 2003, at the age of 96, has deeply saddened the 
family and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Arkansas, he was born on August 14, 1906, 
in Springdale, and pursued his schooling at Sterling City High 
School in Texas at age 16 and came to Abilene from Sterling City in 
1922 to enter Simmons College (now Hardin-Simmons University); and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Bynum began his teaching career after college 
when he was hired by the Abilene school system to teach Spanish; he 
soon volunteered to start the Abilene High School band that same 
year - the first high school marching band in Texas;
	WHEREAS, He grew and expanded a 16-member boys band to a large 
marching band that won several accolades at University 
Interscholastic League competitions; during the same period he 
organized and implemented an all-city Honor Band comprised of 
Abilene elementary school students; also in 1938–1939 he directed 
the first All-Girls High School Band in Texas; and
	WHEREAS, He accepted a new challenge in 1946 by taking a 
position offered by McMurry University President Harold G. Cooke to 
restart the McMurry Band which had disbanded at the beginning of 
World War II; with his direction the band performed numerous 
concert tours in Texas and New Mexico, performed in foreign 
countries such as Mexico, England, France, Italy, Switzerland and 
The Netherlands; and
	WHEREAS, In 1959, "Friends of the [McMurry] Indian Band" 
raised money to build a state-of-the-art McMurry Band Hall, which 
was renamed the Bynum Band Hall when Dr. Bynum retired in 1972; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Raymond Bynum and the former Mary Catherine 
Admason began their journey as husband and wife in 1934, and the 
couple enjoyed a warm and fulfilling relationship until her passing 
in 1985; Dr. Bynum was blessed with four children - Ann, Raymond 
Jr., William F., and Sue, and as his family grew through the years, 
he took great pleasure in being a devoted father, grandfather, and 
great-grandfather; and
	WHEREAS, This great man remained an active congregant of 
First Central Presbyterian Church serving as an elder; was a past 
president of the Texas Music Educators Association, Abilene Rotary 
Club, and Texas Band Master's Association; was a member of the 
American Band Master's Association; he was honored as Texas Band 
Master of the Year in 1968; and was in the hall of fame of Pi Beta 
Mu, national band directors fraternity; and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Bynum's charm and vivacious personality 
delighted his large circle of students, band members, and admirers 
throughout his lifetime; some of his former students went on to 
become band directors at middle and high schools, one became the 
dean of the Julliard School of Music in New York City, and some 
became recognized band directors and administrators at some of the 
top universities in the nation; and
	WHEREAS, Those who privileged to know Dr. Raymond Bynum will 
long miss his zest for life and generous spirit, and his memory will 
surely live on in the minds and hearts of the many people whose 
lives he touched personally or through music; now, therefore, be it
	WHEREAS, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Raymond T. "Prof" 
Bynum and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family and 
to all those who mourn the passing of this beloved man; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family as an expression of high regard from the 
Texas House of Representatives.