79R3558 MAM-D By: Anchia H.R. No. 122R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived tempers the profound sadness the passing of former State Representative Chris Semos, at age 68, brought to his family and friends and all who knew of him; and WHEREAS, Born in 1936, Mr. Semos attended Highland Park schools before going abroad to the Anglo-American School in Athens, Greece; he graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in business administration and joined the family business, his father's Oak Cliff restaurant, the Torch, where he worked in nearly every position from busboy to manager; and WHEREAS, Mr. Semos was elected to eight terms in the Texas Legislature, and while serving as a state representative, he became known as the Father of the Sesquicentennial for his work in behalf of the 150th anniversary of Texas independence in 1986; after leaving the legislature, he was elected to the Dallas County Commissioners Court and represented the southwestern portion of the county until 1994; and WHEREAS, After serving as an elected official, Mr. Semos continued to be actively involved in the welfare of his community; he devoted his time to a number of worthy organizations, including Methodist Hospitals of Dallas, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas, the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association, and the Parkland Hospital Foundation; he was chairman emeritus of Baylor College of Dentistry and served on the boards of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the Greater Dallas Council of Churches, the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Restaurant Association; and WHEREAS, In 1994, Mr. Semos received the Samaritan Award from Dallas Baptist University for his efforts to improve educational opportunities and economic stability in Oak Cliff, and he received the Oak Cliff Lions Club Humanitarian of the Year award in 2004; and WHEREAS, An accomplished and caring man, Mr. Semos tirelessly worked to improve the lives of his neighbors in Oak Cliff and throughout Dallas County and the surrounding area, and his memory continues to be cherished by all those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Chris Semos and extend deepest sympathies to the members of his family: to his wife, Anastasia; to his daughters, Mary Katherine, Victoria Evelyn, and Kristina Anastasia; and to the many other relatives and friends of this esteemed public servant and businessman; 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 former State Representative Chris Semos.