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78S40758 MMS-D
By: Swinford H.R. No. 138
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For exceptional achievement in the field of
aviation, Shelby M. Kritser of Amarillo is being inducted into the
Distinguished Flying Corps Hall of Fame by the Texas Aviation
Historical Society on May 31, 2004; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kritser was born in Amarillo on May 19, 1914, the
son of a pioneer Panhandle family; he graduated as valedictorian of
Texas Military Institute in San Antonio in 1931, received a degree
in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas in 1935, and
graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Business
Administration in 1937; and
WHEREAS, If there had ever been a question whether he would
take to aviation, it seems to have been settled at the age of 18 when
he received his first flying lesson: two weeks later he purchased
his first airplane, and a few days after that he soloed for the
first time, having had six hours and 20 minutes' worth of
instruction; after completing school he joined Pan American Airways
and served on the Bermuda/United States route before being assigned
to the famous Yankee Clipper; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kritser returned to Amarillo in 1941 and opened
a maintenance shop and aircraft sales department at English Field;
in 1945 he formed a corporation with friends and launched the
construction of Tradewind Airport for the use of private pilots and
traveling businessmen; less than a year after the airport opened
for business, it received the prestigious Haire Airport Award for
"outstanding achievement for nonscheduled operations"; and
WHEREAS, Continuing to develop his skills as a pilot, Mr.
Kritser earned the Federal Aviation Agency's Air Transport Rating,
the most advanced license issued at the time; he flew planes ranging
from 45-horsepower Piper Cubs to multiengine aircraft and
maintained membership in virtually every aviation organization in
the country, including the National Aeronautics Association and the
Silver Wings Association; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work with Tradewind Airport, Mr.
Kritser devoted his energies to his ranch, a 122,000-acre spread on
the north bank of the Canadian River, and to his duties at the
Amarillo Globe-News, where he started in 1949 and for which he was
made vice president and general manager in 1952; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished gentleman also compiled a
notable record of public service; Governors Price Daniel and John
Connally each appointed him to a term on the Texas Aeronautics
Board, and in 1964 he was named chairman of the Texas Aeronautics
Commission; highly regarded for his capable leadership, he received
appointments to the Texas Game and Fish Commission and Texas
Tourist Commission; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kritser gave generously of his time and talents
to the Amarillo community, serving on many boards concerned with
projects of civic betterment and, with his wife, lending
substantial support to the cultural life of the city; and
WHEREAS, Shelby Kritser died on April 13, 1966, at the age of
52, in the crash of a stunt plane during Amarillo's Aviation Day;
and
WHEREAS, It is altogether fitting that Shelby M. Kritser be
recognized for his eminent contributions to aviation in the State
of Texas and that a chronicle of those contributions be preserved at
the English Field Air & Space Museum for this and future
generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay special tribute to the
memory of Shelby M. Kritser on the occasion of his induction into
the Distinguished Flying Corps Hall of Fame by the Texas Aviation
Historical Association; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of his family as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.