SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 47





In Memory



of



The Honorable James Jay Kaster V





	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 

citizens of Austin and El Paso in mourning the loss of the 

Honorable James Jay Kaster V, who died July 22, 2005, at the 

age of 72; and



	WHEREAS, James J. Kaster V was born on July 4, 1933, in 

El Paso; he graduated in 1957 with honors from Texas Western 

College, now The University of Texas at El Paso, and served in 

the United States Navy during the Korean War; beginning in 1971, 

he served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for 

four terms; and



	WHEREAS, Jim was the El Paso County tax assessor-collector 

and then served as the legislative liaison for Governor Clements 

from 1979 to 1983 and in 1987; he was appointed by the governor 

to the Industrial Accident Board, now the Workers' Compensation 

Commission, and was later appointed chairman of the Texas 

Employment Commission; after his retirement, he enjoyed driving 

a school bus for the Eanes Independent School District; and



	WHEREAS, Jim was a past president of the El Paso Downtown 

Lions Club and of the Austin Founder Lions Club; he was a past 

district governor of Lions Clubs International, from which he 

received three awards, including the organization's highest 

honor, the Ambassador of Goodwill Award; in 1964, he was named 

El Paso's Outstanding Young Man; he also received the Gold Nugget 

Award from The University of Texas at El Paso School of Business 

in 1988; and



	WHEREAS, He was named chief of staff of the Confederate 

Air Force in Midland and served eight years as a member of its 

general staff; he was a member of the McDonald Observatory Board 

of Visitors for more than 20 years; and



	WHEREAS, Jim served his state and his country with diligence,

pride, and integrity and was noted for the enthusiasm with which 

he lived his life; he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, 

Helene; and



	WHEREAS, Jim Kaster 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 

79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere 

condolences to the bereaved family of James Jay Kaster V:  

his sons, Jim Kaster VI, John Kaster, and Rustie Kaster; his 

daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Brad Pfluger, Laura and 

Tom Mathews, and Kathie Geary; his sister, Dr. Barbara Kaster; 

and his eight beloved grandchildren; and, be it further



	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 

the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy 

from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this 

day, it do so in memory of James Jay Kaster V.

                                                                      Barrientos









________________________________ 

    President of the Senate

 

    I hereby certify that the 

above Resolution was adopted by 

the Senate on August 4, 2005, by a 

rising vote.







________________________________ 

    Secretary of the Senate







________________________________ 

     Member, Texas Senate