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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Residents of Harris County were greatly saddened by |
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the death of Jack Cato, county treasurer and legendary newsman, who |
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passed away on May 21, 2006, at the age of 70; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on October 8, 1935, in Chicago, Mr. Cato |
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graduated from the University of Missouri and the New York |
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Institute of Finance; and |
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WHEREAS, He moved to Houston in the 1950s and soon became |
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known for his news scoops as a police reporter and photographer for |
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KPRC-TV, where he worked for some 25 years; cruising the streets in |
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a red Mustang loaded with police radios, Mr. Cato often beat fire |
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trucks to the scene of a blaze and didn't hesitate to risk injury or |
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don a disguise to get a story; stabbed while covering the 1978 Moody |
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Park riot, he also caught the confession of the man who murdered a |
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serial killer via his trusty camera and car speakerphone; later at |
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the Houston News Service, which he cofounded with a friend, Mr. Cato |
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encouraged his reporters to go to similar lengths; his outstanding |
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efforts were recognized with three Texas Headliner Awards and a |
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Texas Association of Broadcasters' Steve Pieringer Award for valor |
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and courage in the pursuit of news; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Cato eventually left reporting to serve as a |
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media spokesman for the Houston Police Department and was |
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subsequently elected Harris County treasurer in 1999; widely |
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respected for his easygoing and friendly nature, he won the |
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Republican primary before his death and was expected to win a third |
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term in November 2006; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. Cato shared more than 35 |
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years with his wife, the former Shirley Jean Logan, and took great |
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pride in their two sons, Chris and John, and their seven |
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grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, A larger-than-life character with a big heart and a |
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cheerful spirit, Jack Cato left behind a legacy of passion, |
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courage, and drive, in addition to his many professional |
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achievements, and he will long be remembered with great admiration |
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and affection by all who knew him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jack Cato and extend |
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deepest sympathy to his family: to his wife, Shirley Cato; to his |
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sons, Chris and John Cato; to his seven grandchildren; and to his |
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other relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jack Cato. |