SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 724

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and 
commemorates the life of Robert S. Braden, who is being inducted
posthumously into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor by the 
Texas Transportation Institute on May 3, 2005; and

	WHEREAS, Born August 2, 1931, Bob Braden grew up in the 
Texas Panhandle, where he developed his love for the simplicity 
and beauty of nature and an ability to see beyond the ordinary 
that would eventually lead to his career in engineering and his 
avocation as a talented photographer; and

	WHEREAS, After earning a bachelor of science degree in 
civil engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and a 
master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
Bob moved to Houston and joined the consulting firm of Freese, 
Nichols, Turner and Collie; and

	WHEREAS, When Bob retired 35 years later, the firm had 
become Turner Collie & Braden and had grown from a staff of 27 in
1955 to over 300; his foresight, commitment, and positive outlook
had not only provided a catalyst for his firm, but for the city of 
Houston as well; and

	WHEREAS, A man of unique vision who was noted for his civil 
engineering expertise, Bob Braden played a major role in fighting 
Houston's traffic congestion by using alternative funding options
to accelerate the implementation of transportation projects 
which led to the creation of the Harris County Toll Road Authority
and of the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation; and

	WHEREAS, Bob received many honors during his lifetime, 
including the Daniel W. Meade Prize from the American Society of
Civil Engineers; he was named a Distinguished Graduate of the 
College of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin; and

	WHEREAS, An ardent outdoorsman and conservationist, Bob 
was a renowned photographer and bird-watcher, and he devoted 
himself tirelessly to the efforts of the Nature Conservancy of 
Texas, helping to preserve valuable wildlife habitat; he was 
the author of three books on wildlife and the outdoors, including
As I Look Back; and

	WHEREAS, A man of expansive interests and achievements, he 
believed it was the duty of an engineer to provide society with an 
improved environment, and he lived that belief by his implementation
of major infrastructure improvements in our state's largest city;
now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby celebrate the life and achievements of
Robert S. Braden; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the members of the Braden family as an expression of esteem and 
deepest respect from the Texas Senate.
                                                                         Lindsay




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 29, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate