SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 404

In Memory

of

Sue Brandt McBee

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of civic leader, journalist, and poet Sue Brandt McBee, who died January 3, 2011, at the age of 87; and

WHEREAS, Sue Brandt McBee was born September 23, 1923, in Hamburg, Germany; like countless immigrants before her, she entered the United States at Ellis Island; she lived in New York City for some years before moving with her family to Austin; and

WHEREAS, She graduated from Austin High School at the age of 16 before entering the Journalism School at The University of Texas, where she served as editor of the Daily Texan; she married fellow student Frank McBee in 1943 and the couple enjoyed a 57-year marriage of mutual respect and support; and

WHEREAS, After World War II, Mrs. McBee joined the staff of the Austin American-Statesman as a columnist; she went on to write Austin: The Past Still Present, a collection of stories about historically and architecturally significant buildings and homes in the city, and Lines for a Texas Town, a collection of her poetry, was published in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. McBee worked for many years to preserve historic homes and buildings throughout the city and held several offices with the Heritage Society of Austin, including chair of its foundation; she was also the founding president of the Austin History Center; and

WHEREAS, She was active in numerous civic and philanthropic organizations in addition to her historical preservation work; she served as a member of the board of trustees of the Headliners Club and in 1978 was the first woman to chair the United Way Capital Area Annual Drive; she contributed significantly to Saint Edward's University and was an avid supporter of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum; and

WHEREAS, She received numerous awards and commendations through the years; she was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Communications at The University of Texas at Austin and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Saint Edward's University; the honor of which she was perhaps most proud was the establishment of the Sue and Frank McBee Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, A woman of courage, strength, and boundless generosity, she gave unselfishly to all who knew her, from the waitresses and taxi drivers whose lives she took a genuine interest in to those who walked the halls of power; and

WHEREAS, She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her family and countless friends will continue to live with the cherished memory of her life and her many accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Sue Brandt McBee: her daughter, Marilyn McBee Moore; her son, Robert Frank McBee; and her grandson, Michael Brett Moore; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her 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 Sue Brandt McBee.

Watson

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 28, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate