H.R. No. 1514

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A generous and productive life drew to a close with the death of Waco civic leader Thomas Champe Fitzhugh, Jr., on April 3, 2009, at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, Champe Fitzhugh was born in San Antonio on March 14, 1917, and moved to Waco with his family after the first World War; he graduated from Texas A&M University and worked for the Texas Insurance Department and as an engineering instructor at the University of Missouri; he married the former Edna Hosey in 1939, and the couple shared a rewarding relationship until her passing; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Fitzhugh served his country in the United States Army during World War II and remained in the reserves until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel; after the war, he joined the family business, Fitzhugh & Company, eventually becoming chairman of the board and earning great distinction in the independent insurance industry; his many leadership roles included chairing PACER, the national agency advisory council of CNA, and the property committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas; in addition, he served on a variety of other committees and on the board of IIAT, which gave him its highest honor, the Drex Foreman Award; he was one of only eight men to receive the designation Professional Insurance Man of Texas; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, Mr. Fitzhugh sold the company and, at the age of 86, founded Fitzhugh Insurance & Bonds, where he typically worked from 7:30 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m.; he did keep shorter hours on Tuesdays during the school year, when he tutored elementary students in reading; he also assisted Storybook Christmas, a program providing free books to children in need; moreover, he chaired the education committee of the Waco Chamber of Commerce and served on the study committee that recommended the establishment of McLennan Community College, and through the years he funded scholarships and books for many MCC students; in 2007, the Independent Insurance Agents of Central Texas created an MCC Foundation scholarship in his honor; since 1992, more than 500 National Merit Scholars at Texas A&M have attended the Champe Fitzhugh International Honors Leadership Program in Italy; and

WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan served as president of the Waco Independent School District Board, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Waco Council of Campfire Girls, the Community Cancer Society, and of a number of other organizations; among his myriad contributions to the community, he served as vice president of the Waco Junior Chamber of Commerce and as secretary for the board of the Waco chapter of the American Red Cross, and in 1947, he instigated the vote to return Waco to a city manager form of government; and

WHEREAS, A 70-year member of J. H. Gurley Masonic Lodge No. 337 and Karem Shrine, Mr. Fitzhugh belonged to the Rotary Club and Sons of the American Revolution, was a docent of the Historic Waco Foundation, and served his place of worship, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, in several capacities; while fulfilling innumerable responsibilities, he still found time to develop his talent as a gardener and to show his love for his family through regular phone calls and letters; his warmth, kindness, and delightful sense of humor endeared him to everyone; and

WHEREAS, Champe Fitzhugh touched countless lives through his selfless endeavors, and his memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know this remarkable man; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Champe Fitzhugh, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife of 39 years, Virginia Fitzhugh; to his daughters, Randy Ford and her husband, Glenn, Wendy Crowley and her husband, David, Virginia Blakley and her husband, Richard; to his sons, Tom Fitzhugh and his wife, Jan, and Bill Smith and his partner, Jewel Logan; to his grandchildren, Mike Ford and his wife, Katy, Matthew Ford and his wife, Janet, Megan Fulbright and her husband, Donald, Lee Harris, Kendall Condit and her husband, Brian, Collin Holz and her husband, Jason, Carrie Fulghum and her husband, Bob, Keller Crowley, Champe Fitzhugh IV and his wife, Katie, Lindley Amarantos and her husband, Christo, Leigh Smith, Will Blakley and his wife, Heidi, and Conner Blakley and his wife, Molly; to his 12 great-grandchildren and his 4 great-great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Thomas Champe Fitzhugh, Jr.

Anderson

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1514 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 30, 2009.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House