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                                                                  H.R. No. 1701



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a distinguished citizen and 
public servant with the passing of the Honorable Searcy Bracewell 
of Houston on May 13, 2003, at the age of 85; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Houston and a lifelong resident of that 
city, Mr. Bracewell was born January 19, 1918, and graduated from 
Milby High School; in 1938 he earned a degree from Texas A&M 
University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Ross 
Volunteers, as well as drum major of the band; he attended Houston 
Law School and in 1940 gained admission to the bar; and
	WHEREAS, During World War II, Mr. Bracewell served on the 
staff of General George Patton's Third Army; he was awarded the 
European Theater Medal with five battle stars and was honorably 
discharged as a major in 1945; and
	WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life, Mr. Bracewell 
joined his father and brother in establishing the law firm that is 
now known as Bracewell & Patterson, one of the largest firms in the 
state; he was also a charter member of the Texas Bar Fellows, a 
member of the Houston Bar Foundation, and chair of the Texas Utility 
Lawyers Association; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his legal career, Mr. Bracewell took 
an active role in public affairs, serving in the Texas House of 
Representatives from 1947 to 1949 and in the Texas Senate from 1949 
to 1959; during his tenure in the legislature he served as president 
pro tem of the senate and authored bills creating what are today The 
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and The University 
of Texas Health Science Center Dental School; he later served on the 
Houston City Charter Commission and as chair of the Texas Water 
Development Board; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Bracewell rendered 
invaluable service to Texas A&M University, assisting with 
fund-raising and providing leadership to such groups as the 
Chancellor's Century Council, Texas A&M Research Foundation, and 
Board of Visitors of Texas A&M University at Galveston; and
	WHEREAS, Widely respected for his seasoned judgment, this 
outstanding Texan also served on the boards of numerous civic and 
cultural institutions and several banks and businesses; among the 
organizations to benefit from his skills and sagacity were the 
Houston Grand Opera, South Texas College of Law, the Houston 
Chamber of Commerce, and the Lyric Theater Foundation; and
	WHEREAS, A dedicated and active member of Kiwanis for many 
decades, Mr. Bracewell was also a devoted congregant of Second 
Baptist Church; after World War II, he assisted in the work of a 
company his father had founded to help churches finance their 
building programs, a company that by 1979 had aided nearly 4,000 
congregations; and
	WHEREAS, Among the many well-deserved honors accorded Mr. 
Bracewell were an honorary doctorate from the South Texas College 
of Law, a Humanitarian Award from the American Cancer Research 
Foundation, and a Leon Jaworski Award for public service from the 
Houston Bar Association Auxiliary; named a Distinguished Alumnus by 
Texas A&M, he was also inducted into the Corps of Cadets Hall of 
Honor; and
	WHEREAS, Few people contribute as extensively in as many 
arenas as did Searcy Bracewell; countless lives have been touched 
and enriched as a result of his tireless efforts, and the memory of 
this esteemed gentleman will be forever cherished by those who were 
blessed to share his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That special tribute be paid to the life of the 
Honorable Searcy Bracewell and that sincere sympathy be extended to 
the members of his family:  to his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth 
Weaver Bracewell; to his children, Joe Bracewell and his wife, 
Peggy, and Betsy Machac and her husband, David; to his brother, 
Fentress Bracewell; to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; 
and to his many other relatives and friends; 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 Searcy 
Bracewell.

                                                                            Wong

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1701 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House