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H.R. No. 11
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of San Antonio lost one of its most beloved
residents and admired civic leaders with the death of Amy Freeman
Lee on July 20, 2004, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born in Seguin in 1914, Ms. Lee attended The
University of Texas and graduated from Incarnate Word College,
where she went on to earn several degrees, including an honorary
doctorate of letters in 1965; and
WHEREAS, A self-taught watercolor painter who won
international acclaim, Ms. Lee was honored with more than 1,250
exhibitions of her work; she also amassed an important collection
of art and made significant donations to a number of museums,
including the McNay Art Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art; an
early supporter of the Witte Museum, a member of the Incarnate Word
College Fine Arts Advisory Council, and a charter member of The
University of Texas College of Fine Arts Council, this dedicated
patron of the arts was also a founder of the San Antonio Art League
and the Texas Watercolor Society; and
WHEREAS, Amy Freeman Lee delivered thousands of lectures
during her lifetime that invariably stressed her conviction in the
importance of civility and humanity, and her razor-sharp wit and
inspiring eloquence made her one of the most popular speakers in the
state; she was a respected writer and art critic as well, authoring
four books and writing for hundreds of publications; and
WHEREAS, Perhaps her most important legacy lies in the
abundant support, creativity, and leadership she offered to
countless groups; deeply committed to literacy, education, and the
liberal arts, she served as the head of the board of trustees of
Incarnate Word College from 1973 to 1990, nurturing the school's
programs in music, art, and theater, and as a member of the board of
the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and chairman of the board
of Wilhelm Schole International, avidly championing its Teacher
Training Institute in Houston, and she was additionally known as a
strong supporter of the nursing profession; one of the principal
founders of the San Antonio Symphony, she was also a member of the
board of the Humane Society of the United States, which conferred on
her its highest honor, the Joseph Wood Krutch Medal, in 1985; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ms. Lee was the recipient of
innumerable other awards and honors, including the Maury Maverick
Award from the American Civil Liberties Union, a lifetime
achievement award from the University Round Table, and the
Imperishable Star Award, a lifetime honor conveyed by Wilhelm
Schole International; a recipient of the first Living Treasure of
San Antonio Award for Outstanding Achievement as Artist, Scholar,
Humanist and The Woman That Makes a Difference Award presented by
the International Women's Forum, she was also elected to the Texas
Women's Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, A crusader against racism and discrimination from
her earliest years, she fought for racial and social equality in San
Antonio, urging fellow board members of cultural organizations to
reach out to the Hispanic and African American communities;
moreover, she was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to serve
on the Grievance Oversight Committee, Lawyer Discipline
Commission, and was elected to the board of trustees of the Texas
Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism; and
WHEREAS, Amy Freeman Lee lived her life in service to the
arts, education, and humanitarianism, truly making a profound
difference in her community and beyond; although this remarkable
Texas lady will be sorely missed, the legacy of strength,
intelligence, courage, compassion, and selflessness that she
leaves behind will continue to inspire others for many years to
come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Amy Freeman Lee and
that sincere sympathy be extended to her family: to her foster
daughter, Marilyn Wilhelm, and her goddaughter, Carol Karotkin; to
her second cousin, Maxine "Jackie" Goodwin; and to her many dear
friends and admirers throughout the state and the nation; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Amy
Freeman Lee.
McClendon
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 11 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on February 3, 2005.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House