SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 124

In Memory

of

Marvin Selig

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Seguin and San Antonio in mourning the loss of retired businessman Marvin Selig, who died December 27, 2010, at the age of 87; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Selig was born in Spring Valley, New York, on November 30, 1923; during his school years, he began working in an uncle's machine shop in New York City at the age of 13; he served as a mechanical engineer in the Merchant Marines during World War II and then began engineering studies at City College of New York; and

WHEREAS, He visited a friend at The University of Texas at Austin one February, and finding both the engineering school and the weather in Austin to be much to his liking, he returned to New York, asked his girlfriend to marry him, and moved to Austin; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from The University of Texas School of Engineering, he borrowed $2,500 and built Structural Metals, Incorporated, on a cornfield near Seguin in 1947; he began recycling railroad scrap metals into rebar, pioneering the modern mini-mill concept, which brought increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability to the industry; and

WHEREAS, He went on to grow the small steel bar rolling mill into more than 100 affiliated companies, which became Commercial Metals Steel Group; he retired in 2002 and was named chairman emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Selig and his late wife, Ellie, supported many social, educational, and political initiatives in their hometown of Seguin and across the state; he endowed the Marvin and Ellie Selig Excellence Fund for Entrepreneurial Studies at his alma mater, and he contributed to several charitable causes; he was past president of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and he was active in Republican politics; he also bred quarter horses and kept a cattle ranch in Gonzales County; and

WHEREAS, Marvin Selig was an entrepreneur and a pioneer; he placed emphasis on the values of family, teamwork, and respect, as well as the integrity and dignity of the individual; he was known for his patience, his optimism, his work ethic, and his dedication to his family and a large circle of friends and business associates; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted father and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured for years to come by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Marvin Selig: his sons and daughters-in-law, Zachary Selig, Peter and Lyn Selig, and Jeff and Walton Selig; his five grandchildren; and his brother and business partner, Clyde Selig; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Marvin Selig.

Wentworth

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 26, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate