SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 805

In Memory

of

Kenneth N. Ports

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of San Antonio in mourning the loss of Kenneth N. Ports, who died February 28, 2011, at the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, Kenneth Ports was born September 24, 1925, in Frederick, Maryland; shortly after his 1942 graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to General George Patton's Third Army, where he served as his platoon's first scout; during his World War II service, he was wounded in combat and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, Following the war, he returned to Maryland and earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland; while attending college, he met and married his beloved wife, Dolly, and the couple raised two children together; and

WHEREAS, He returned to military service in 1950 when he was offered a direct commission as a sanitary engineer in the Army; he was awarded a second Bronze Star in 1952 for his heroic actions in the Pusan Refugee Area in Korea; and

WHEREAS, After the Korean War, he earned a master's degree in public health engineering at the University of Minnesota; he went on to serve in Germany during the construction of the Berlin Wall, and he later attended the United States Army's prestigious Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth; and

WHEREAS, When he retired from the military in 1971, he had served the nation with honor and distinction for 27 years and had risen to the rank of colonel; his exemplary work in several vital command assignments embodied his dedication to his country; and

WHEREAS, Following his military service, Mr. Ports served for more than a decade as city engineer for Alamo Heights; he went on to serve as the executive director of the Bexar chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers; and

WHEREAS, A life member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Mr. Ports served as a mentor to countless young engineers; he was a 32nd degree Mason and an associate member of the San Antonio Conservation Society; and

WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, he gave unselfishly to others, and his generous spirit and his devotion to duty will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and

WHEREAS, He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever 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 Kenneth N. Ports: his son and daughter-in-law, Karl and Kathy Ports; his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and William Archie; his sister, Judy Ports Werner; and his four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; 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 Kenneth N. Ports.

Wentworth

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 19, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate