H.R. No. 1749
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The death of the Honorable Leroy J. Wieting, Sr., on
March 14, 2005, at the age of 78, has brought a great loss to the
communities of Portland and Austin, as well as to citizens
throughout Texas, whom he faithfully served for 22 years in the
Texas House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 28, 1927, in Runge in Karnes
County, Mr. Wieting graduated from Runge High School in 1943, a year
ahead of his class, and studied political science at Texas A&I
University--Kingsville; he and his high school sweetheart, Dorris,
were married in Kenedy on September 9, 1945, and they eventually
moved to the coastal town of Portland, which he served as the first
city manager until his election to the house of representatives in
November 1962; and
WHEREAS, During his exemplary tenure, he served on a number
of important committees, including the Appropriations Committee,
Ways and Means Committee, and Education Committee, and chaired the
Agriculture and Livestock Committee and the School District
Committee; he was instrumental in implementing the State Capitol
prayer meetings, a tradition that continues today, and he served as
the assistant chaplain for the house; Representative Wieting was
Dean of the House when he retired in 1984; and
WHEREAS, He also served as chair of the Texas Coastal and
Marine Council and traveled extensively on behalf of the state,
researching water systems and working diligently to procure
drinking water sources and reservoirs for the Coastal Bend area,
and played a key role in helping to establish both the Coastal Bend
Bays Foundation and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program;
and
WHEREAS, He served as a commissioner to the Gulf States
Marine Fisheries Commission during the majority of his time in
office and was a constant steward and advocate for healthy coastal
and marine resources for Texas and the Gulf of Mexico; and
WHEREAS, After completing his tenure in the house, he acted
as a consultant for a number of clients in the Coastal Bend, such as
Citgo Petroleum Corporation and the Sherwin Alumina Company, and
continued to play an active role in governmental affairs as a
lobbyist; he was a member of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, the
Texas Association of Business, and the Advocacy Committee of the
Texas Chemical Council and never missed participating in a session
of the legislature from the day of his retirement until his death;
and
WHEREAS, In addition to his many professional achievements,
awards, and tributes, this esteemed Texan contributed time and
financial support to a number of worthy organizations in his
community; an honorary member of the Portland Chamber of Commerce
and a longtime executive fund-raiser for the Coastal Bend United
Way, he also actively supported the South Texas Children's Home,
the Boy Scouts of America, and 4-H clubs in his area, to name but a
few; and
WHEREAS, A man of deep faith and conviction, he served on the
State Board of the Gideons and as chair of the Christian Life
Committee of the Corpus Christi Baptist Association; this kind and
caring man who was ordained as a deacon remained a faithful
congregant of First Baptist Church of Portland for nearly 50 years
and was highly instrumental in establishing the church at its
present location; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Leroy Wieting gave freely of
his time and devoted his efforts to serving the citizens of South
Texas and his beloved home state; he was a trusted friend, counsel,
and confidant to many who currently serve the State of Texas, and he
leaves a legacy of achievement that will continue to benefit the
Lone Star State for 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 Leroy J. Wieting, Sr.,
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife of nearly 60 years, Dorris Atkins Wieting; to his children,
Leroy James "L. J." Wieting, Jr., and Beckie Wieting Bright; to his
grandchildren, Jamison Franklin and Anagail Lynette Wieting; and to
his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the
Honorable Leroy J. Wieting, Sr.
Seaman
Jones of Lubbock
Hunter
Craddick Geren Menendez
Allen of Harris Giddings Merritt
Allen of Dallas Gonzales Miller
Alonzo Gonzalez Toureilles Moreno of Harris
Anchia Goodman Moreno of El Paso
Anderson Goolsby Morrison
Bailey Griggs Mowery
Baxter Grusendorf Naishtat
Berman Guillen Nixon
Blake Haggerty Noriega
Bohac Hamilton Oliveira
Bonnen Hamric Olivo
Branch Hardcastle Orr
Brown of Kaufman Harper-Brown Otto
Brown of Brazos Hartnett Paxton
Burnam Hegar Pena
Callegari Herrero Phillips
Campbell Hilderbran Pickett
Casteel Hill Pitts
Castro Hochberg Puente
Chavez Hodge Quintanilla
Chisum Homer Raymond
Coleman Hope Reyna
Cook of Navarro Hopson Riddle
Cook of Colorado Howard Ritter
Corte Hughes Rodriguez
Crabb Hunter Rose
Crownover Hupp Seaman
Davis of Harris Isett Smith of Tarrant
Davis of Dallas Jackson Smith of Harris
Dawson Jones of Lubbock Smithee
Delisi Jones of Dallas Solis
Denny Keel Solomons
Deshotel Keffer of Dallas Strama
Driver Keffer of Eastland Straus
Dukes King of Parker Swinford
Dunnam King of Zavala Talton
Dutton Kolkhorst Taylor
Edwards Krusee Thompson
Eiland Kuempel Truitt
Eissler Laney Turner
Elkins Laubenberg Uresti
Escobar Leibowitz Van Arsdale
Farabee Luna Veasey
Farrar Madden Villarreal
Flores Martinez Vo
Flynn Martinez Fischer West
Frost McCall Wong
Gallego McClendon Woolley
Gattis McReynolds Zedler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1749 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 2005.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House