SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 444

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride 
in honoring the legacy of J. Frank Dobie, who was a renowned Texas 
teacher, storyteller, folklorist, historian and author; and

	WHEREAS, Born in 1888 in Live Oak County, he developed an 
early love of language and literature; he graduated from 
Southwestern University in Georgetown, where he had become 
captivated by the English romantic poets and by Bertha McKee, 
who soon became his wife; after receiving his master's degree 
from Columbia University in New York, he returned to Texas; and

	WHEREAS, Joining the English Department at The University 
of Texas in 1914, he became editor for the Texas Folklore Society;
he published his first book, A Vaquero of the Brush Country, in 
1929, which established him as a spokesman for the culture and 
traditions of Southwest Texas; many other books were to follow 
with his last book, Cow People, being published before his death 
in 1964; he left an unfinished manuscript for Rattlesnakes, which 
Bertha Dobie later edited and published in 1965; and

	WHEREAS, In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented 
him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian 
award the nation offers; and

	WHEREAS, J. Frank Dobie set the bar to which Texas writers 
continue to aspire; with the Community of George West restoring 
the soon-to-be J. Frank Dobie Performing Arts Theater, his impact 
and influence will undoubtedly endure; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby honor the life and achievements of 
J. Frank Dobie; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                       Zaffirini




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 23, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate