79R8645 JNC-D

By:  Bailey                                                       H.R. No. 822



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may 
temper the profound sadness that the passing of Sam Polk, Jr., of 
San Antonio on May 8, 2004, at the age of 87, brings to all those who 
loved this esteemed gentleman; and
	WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Polk was born in Yoakum on March 
21, 1917; he graduated from Asberry High School and answered his 
country's call to service in 1942, joining the U.S. Army, and he 
earned the rank of sergeant before his discharge in 1947; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Polk went on to attend Texas State University 
for Negroes, now Texas Southern University, where he received a 
bachelor's degree in mathematics and pursued graduate studies to 
earn a master's degree in administration; and
	WHEREAS, In 1954, he began a distinguished tenure with the 
U.S. Postal Service that would span many decades; over the course of 
his career, this longtime Houston resident strove to better 
conditions for workers and was appointed to the National Human 
Relations Committee of the American Postal Workers Union, elected 
to the office of vice president of the AFL-CIO from District III in 
Houston, participated in the Texas Governor's Conference on Human 
Rights, and in 1980, met with the president of the United States 
regarding postal affairs in the Lone Star State; and
	WHEREAS, After moving to Corpus Christi and then San Antonio 
after he retired, he was a valued member of Grace First Baptist 
Church; he also lent his time and talents serving on the executive 
committee of the San Antonio branch of the NAACP, an organization of 
which he was a lifetime and Golden Heritage member, and for his many 
contributions, he was presented the Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the 
Flame award; and
	WHEREAS, Sam Polk, Jr., was a man of compassion and 
integrity, and although his guidance and devotion will be missed by 
all who knew him, his spirit will live on in the hearts of the many 
people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the life of Sam Polk, Jr., and extend 
deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his daughter, 
Melrose Phillips Lindsey; to his brothers-in-law, Ernest Johnson 
and Abner Johnson and his wife, Mildred; to his sisters-in-law, 
Dorothy Johnson Cubit, Mamie Johnson Hardeman, Sadie Johnson Lee, 
Mary Johnson, and Barbara Johnson; and to the other relatives and 
many friends of this beloved gentleman.