By:  Bivins                                                     S.C.R. No. 47 



SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the 
citizens of Midland and West Texas in mourning the loss of William 
H. Collyns, who died February 18, 2003, at the age of 94; and
	WHEREAS, Bill Collyns was born November 11, 1908, in San 
Angelo and moved from McCamey with Humble Oil & Refining Company to 
Midland in 1935; he served as manager of the Midland Chamber of 
Commerce from 1936 to 1946, with the exception of two years in the 
United States Army, and he later served as the chamber's president; 
from 1946 until he retired in 1980, he was editor of the Midland 
Reporter-Telegram; and
	WHEREAS, Bill Collyns cultivated the Midland spirit and both 
witnessed and helped Midland grow from a town of 5,000 people to a 
progressive, bustling city of 100,000 and the center of the oil 
industry; he was such an avid booster of his community that he was 
popularly known as the ambassador for both Midland and West Texas; 
and
	WHEREAS, He was instrumental in bringing a United States Army 
Air Force base to Midland, and the city became home to the nation's 
largest bombardier school during World War II; he also worked to 
develop the aviation center that is now Midland International 
Airport; and
	WHEREAS, He continued to herald Midland's assets and 
qualities, especially its people, and received many newspaper and 
community service awards throughout his lifetime, from recognition 
by the Jaycees as Outstanding Young Man of 1943 to receiving the 
2001 West Texas Hall of Fame Award; and
	WHEREAS, Highly respected for his accomplishments and his 
leadership in his community he was known as "Mr. Midland," "Mr. West 
Texas," and "Mr. Permian Basin"; he was instrumental in developing 
the Permian Basin's transportation infrastructure, and he was 
inducted into the West Texas Heritage Hall of Fame and the Permian 
Basin Petroleum Museum Hall of Fame; and
	WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman, he was a 
man of great faith and a loyal member, elder emeritus, and trustee 
for the First Presbyterian Church of Midland; he was preceded in 
death by his wife, Alice Collyns, who died in 1997; and
	WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, Bill 
Collyns gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, 
warmth, and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew 
him; and
	WHEREAS, Bill Collyns was a devoted husband, father, and 
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured 
forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas  
hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of William 
H. Collyns:  his daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and Bill Harris; 
and his two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his 
family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas 
Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do 
so in memory of William H. Collyns.