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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of the Honorable John Nesbett Leedom, former |
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Texas Senator and Republican Party stalwart, who died May 31, 2011, |
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at the age of 89; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Leedom served his community and state with |
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honor and distinction, both as a businessman and as a public |
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servant, and his many achievements set a sterling example which |
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have served as an inspiration to generations of Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, John Nesbett Leedom was born July 27, 1921, in |
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Dallas; he became an Eagle Scout as a young man and graduated from |
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Highland Park High School; he earned a degree in electrical |
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engineering from Rice University in 1943 and served the nation in |
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the United States Navy during World War II; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Leedom was the cofounder and chief executive |
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officer of Wholesale Electronic Supply, Incorporated, in Dallas; he |
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was active in numerous professional organizations through the |
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years, including service as president of the National Electronic |
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Distributors Association and of the National Association of |
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Wholesaler-Distributors and as national director of the Young |
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Presidents Organization; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Leedom played a vital role in the rebirth |
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and growth of the Republican Party in Texas, beginning with his |
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service as chair of the Dallas County Republican Party in the early |
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1960s and later as campaign chair for Congressman Jim Collins; in |
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1975, he was elected to the Dallas City Council, where he served two |
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terms and chaired the finance, public safety, and cable television |
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committees; and |
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WHEREAS, He was elected in 1980 to represent District 16 in |
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the Texas Senate, and he served five terms as a senator, retiring in |
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1996; he sponsored legislation that led to the creation of the Rainy |
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Day Fund, and in 1989, he served as President Pro Tempore of the |
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Senate; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Leedom was a devout Christian who practiced |
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his faith in his daily life; he was a trustee of Grace Bible Church, |
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and he often expressed his gratitude for having been able to serve |
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the public; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of vision, courage, and loyalty, he gave |
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generously to others, and his wisdom, his determination, and his |
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enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be forgotten |
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by those who knew him; and |
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WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, |
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and although he will be deeply missed by his family and countless |
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friends, he will continue to live in their hearts and minds; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the |
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bereaved family of the Honorable John Nesbett Leedom: Betty |
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Leedom, his loving wife of 56 years; Joanne Leedom Ackerman, Judy |
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Leedom Tyrer, Becky Trigg, Danny Kennedy, Linda Leedom Moore, and |
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John Leedom, Jr.; and his 12 grandchildren and six |
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great-grandchildren; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his |
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family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do |
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so in memory of John Nesbett Leedom. |