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78R11903 MMS-D

By:  Cook of Colorado                                             H.R. No. 792



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Raymond Frank "Buddy" Rau of Columbus 
on December 20, 2002, at the age of 65 has brought a profound sense 
of loss to his loved ones and to countless fellow citizens; and
	WHEREAS, Born December 11, 1937, Mr. Rau devoted his life to 
the cause of historic preservation; his interest in this vital work 
extended as far back as 1962, when he helped to organize the 
Magnolia Homes Tour (MHT), Inc., now the Columbus Historic 
Preservation Trust, Inc.; a life member of the organization, he 
later served as the group's president; and
	WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Rau became personally involved 
in the restoration of several historic properties in Columbus; in 
1965 he and his parents purchased the Ilse home and he spent nearly 
four years overseeing work on the building, now known as Raumonda; 
he later undertook the restoration of two properties that had long 
been in his mother's family, the Hancock-Heller Home and a general 
store; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Rau shared his expertise with others as a 
restoration and landscape consultant from the late 1960s to the 
1970s; he also operated The Carriage House and Columbus Flower Shop 
for 22 years in the store once owned by his maternal grandparents; 
and
	WHEREAS, This distinguished community leader served as 
president of the City of Columbus Sesquicentennial Celebration in 
1973, president of the city's U.S. Bicentennial Celebration in 
1976, and cochairman of the city's 1991-1992 celebration 
commemorating the quincentennial of the first voyage to the New 
World by Christopher Columbus; and
	WHEREAS, A staunch proponent of heritage tourism, Mr. Rau 
played an instrumental role in 1987 in organizing the Texas Pioneer 
Trail, a route linking historic communities in Colorado, Austin, 
Washington, and Fayette counties; in the early 1990s he served as 
tourism director for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and MHT, and 
in 1996 he helped to organize, and then became executive director 
of, the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB), an office 
he held until his passing; and
	WHEREAS, While head of the CCVB, Mr. Rau initiated the city's 
Talking House tours and big tree registry, extended the boundaries 
of the town's historic district, and researched and won approval 
for more than 90 state historical markers; and
	WHEREAS, Other organizations with which he was affiliated 
include the Colorado County Historical Commission, German-Texan 
Heritage Society, Columbus Lions Club, and Live Oak Art Center; and
	WHEREAS, Through his tireless commitment to preserving the 
heritage of one of the state's most historic communities, Buddy Rau 
has bequeathed a legacy of immeasurable richness to all Texans, and 
the blessing of his life will be forever cherished by those who were 
privileged to share his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Raymond Frank 
"Buddy" Rau and extend sincere sympathy to his wife, Laura Ann Rau, 
and to the many other relatives and friends of this beloved 
gentleman; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Raymond 
Frank "Buddy" Rau.