SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 143
In Memory
of
William Max Hale
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of William Max Hale, who died March 17, 2006,
at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Bill grew up in the Texas Panhandle; he was a
passionate civil rights advocate, and he worked at the Mobilization
for Youth program with Michael Schwerner in New York and marched
with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the South; and
WHEREAS, Early in his career, Bill served as director and
area coordinator of the Volunteers in Service to America program;
he was head of the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission and was
instrumental in the passage of the Texas Fair Housing Act and the
Texas Commission on Human Rights Act by the Texas Legislature;
and
WHEREAS, Bill was the first executive director of the Texas
Human Rights Commission, a position he held for 17 years; under
his direction, the agency was able to obtain the first successful
enforcement of fair housing laws against the Ku Klux Klan; and
WHEREAS, Bill received numerous national and international
honors for his work and was recognized by the Texas Senate and the
House of Representatives for his contributions to the state; and
WHEREAS, He served as chair of the Austin Human Rights
Commission and as president of the International Association of
Official Human Rights Agencies; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, Bill
gave generously to others, and his wisdom, warmth, and valued
counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished forever by
his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of William Max Hale: his
wife, Karen; his son, Mathis Hale; his daughter, Lisa Coody; and
his grandchildren, Britton, Paige, and Jace; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of his family as an expression of profound sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of William Max Hale.
Barrientos
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 4, 2006, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate