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By:  Hunter                                                       H.R. No. 1527



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Catherine Morrison Benson, lovingly known as 
"Kitty" by all who came into her long life of service to others; and 
who passed away on May 25, 2005, in her hometown of Abilene, Texas, 
where she and her late husband, Joe, lived; she is survived by her 
son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Chaffin Benson, Jr. and Mary Ann 
Kendrick Benson of Austin, daughter Julia Catherine Benson, five 
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, She came to Dallas when her father was named head 
coach and athletic director at Southern Methodist University and 
she graduated from Highland Park High School and SMU; and
	WHEREAS, She was one of the most active civic volunteers 
during her lifetime, especially with the West Texas Rehabilitation 
Center where she served with dedication from its very beginning, 
and she organized the Taylor County Society for Crippled Children 
while serving as its first President; and
	WHEREAS, She served as the first Executive Director for the 
Abilene Mental Health Association and was a volunteer for the 
Abilene Rape Crisis Center; and
	WHEREAS, As one keenly interested in education she served an 
interim term on the Abilene School Board and trained docents in art 
education for special education classes at Fannin Elementary School 
in Abilene; and
	WHEREAS, She was actively involved with the Abilene Fine Arts 
Museum, the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, and the Abilene Opera 
Association as a member of the board of directors where she 
established the Joseph Chaffin Benson Memorial Fund; and
	WHEREAS, She was honored and revered for her dedication to 
the arts as a painter, art historian, and art patron; and
	WHEREAS, She donated her extensive collection of art books to 
the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene; and
	WHEREAS, As a member of the Junior League she participated in 
many worthy community endeavors, and as a volunteer for the Abilene 
State School she enabled many individuals and their families to 
enjoy a better life; and
	WHEREAS, She taught at McMurry University and lectured at 
both Abilene Christian University and Hardin Simmons University, 
where she was admired by students and faculty alike; and
	WHEREAS, A memorial service in her honor was held at the St. 
Paul United Methodist Church of Abilene where she was remembered as 
a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and 
Christian servant; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of 
Catherine Morrison Benson as a notable citizen of our great state; 
and be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for her family and friends, as well as the libraries of her 
charitable interests and the institutions of higher education in 
her city of Abilene.