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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 59
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In Memory |
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of |
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Ben Thomas |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the |
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citizens of Plano in mourning the loss of Ben Thomas, who died |
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January 17, 2007, at the age of 84; and |
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WHEREAS, Ben Thomas was a lifelong resident of the Douglass |
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Community, Plano's oldest black neighborhood; he was a graduate |
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of Plano Colored High School and devoted much of his life to a |
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struggle to empower his community and his fellow citizens; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Thomas was known for his firm but soft-spoken |
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approach to activism; he was in the forefront of the fight to |
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desegregate the Plano schools in the 1960s, and he was |
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instrumental in efforts to bring affordable housing to the |
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Douglass Community; a gymnasium at the Douglass Community Center |
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is named in his honor; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and integrity, he gave |
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generously to others, and his wisdom, warmth, and valued counsel |
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will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and |
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WHEREAS, Ben Thomas was a devoted husband, father, and |
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grandfather, and his family and friends will continue to live |
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with cherished memories of his life and his many accomplishments; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the |
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bereaved family of Ben Thomas: his wife, Frances; his son, |
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Mitchell; his daughters, Dollie, Toni, and Areail; and his seven |
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grandchildren and great-granddaughter; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy |
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from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Ben Thomas. |
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Shapiro |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on January 29, 2007, by |
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a rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |