H.R. No. 75 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Jessard Aaron "Jimmy" Wisch of Fort 
Worth on January 26, 2002, at the age of 85, has brought a great loss 
to the family, friends, and colleagues of the notable publisher and 
editor of the Texas Jewish Post; and
	WHEREAS, Born on June 13, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. 
Wisch worked his way up from Depression-era poverty to become a 
renowned journalist, publisher, and advocate for the State of 
Israel; and
	WHEREAS, In his early years, Mr. Wisch was employed by the 
U.S. Postal Service, and during World War II he served in the U.S. 
Army, where he published a shipboard newspaper for servicemen; 
while in military service, Mr. Wisch met and fell in love with the 
former Rene Radin, and they were married on March 19, 1946; and
	WHEREAS, After World War II, Mr. Wisch began publishing the 
Texas Jewish Post with his wife from their one-bedroom apartment in 
Fort Worth; over the next 56 years, Mr. Wisch created a thriving 
weekly publication that has served as a reliable source of local, 
national, and international news for thousands of subscribers 
throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex; and
	WHEREAS, This talented journalist also wrote pieces on the 
Middle East for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Houston Chronicle; 
during a visit to Israel in June 1967, he witnessed firsthand the 
Six–Day War and provided readers of the Texas Jewish Post with 
on-the-scene reporting of the event; and
	WHEREAS, President of the American Jewish Press Association 
from 1969 to 1972, Mr. Wisch interviewed at least five U.S. 
presidents, met leaders and dignitaries worldwide, including Golda 
Meir, and represented the Jewish press on President Nixon's 
historic visit to the Soviet Union in 1972; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Wisch was a staunch defender of the State of 
Israel and dedicated his life to combating anti-Semitism; at the 
age of 62, he achieved one of his proudest moments with the belated 
celebration of his bar mitzvah in Israel; and
	WHEREAS, A Fort Worth resident for more than 65 years, he 
earned his degree from Texas Christian University, where he also 
attended graduate school; Mr. Wisch remained a devoted lifelong 
member of Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Fort Worth; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Wisch will long be remembered for his spirit of 
conviction, his success in the publishing industry, and his 
contributions to the Jewish American community in Texas; his memory 
will shine brightly in the hearts of the many people whose lives he 
so deeply touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jessard Wisch and 
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife, 
Rene Wisch; to his children, Linda Wisch Davidsohn, Steve Wisch, 
Judy Wisch, Susan Wisch, and Sharon Wisch-Ray and her husband, 
Alex; to his grandchildren, Amy and Tim Doty, Reuben and Suzy 
Davidsohn, Jordana and Josh Bernstein, Ethan Davidsohn, Ari Wisch, 
and Benjamin and Samuel "Zommie" Ray; to his great-grandchildren, 
Rose and Zachary Bernstein and Shea Doty; and to his other relatives 
and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jessard 
Aaron "Jimmy" Wisch.

                                                                          Mowery


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 75 was unanimously adopted by a rising 
vote of the House on March 28, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House