H.R. No. 2115

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The nation lost one of its foremost philanthropists and progressive thinkers with the death of Bernard Rapoport of Waco on April 5, 2012, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio on July 17, 1917, "B" Rapoport was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants David and Riva Rapoport, who instilled in him respect for hard work, a passion for learning, and a profound sense of social responsibility; he earned his bachelor's degree in economics from The University of Texas at Austin, while working full-time in his uncle's jewelry store; in 1942, he met Audre Newman on a blind date in Waco, and they were engaged the following day and married within the year; and

WHEREAS, This visionary Texan founded the American Income Life Insurance Company in 1951 and focused on offering low-cost insurance policies to labor union workers; the enterprise was extremely successful, and Mr. Rapoport maintained a modest lifestyle while devoting his considerable financial resources to charitable organizations and political action; in 1986, he and his wife created the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation to promote peace, justice, and education; he was a benefactor of the Rapoport Academy in Waco, of McLennan Community College, and of MCC's First Generation College Student Initiative, and as chair of San Antonio-based AVANCE, which helps young families break the cycle of poverty, he guided its development into a national organization; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the Rapoports gave millions to UT-Austin; they established the Rapoport Endowment for International and Multidisciplinary Studies in the College of Liberal Arts, the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice in the School of Law, and an endowed professorship in health and social policy in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; through Rapoport Service Scholarships, they enabled students to integrate volunteerism with their academic interests and prepare for careers in community service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rapoport was appointed to The UT System Board of Regents in 1991 and served as chair from 1993 to 1997; he advocated vigorously for academic freedom as well as for increased access for lower-income students, and under his leadership, a UT campus was established near working-class neighborhoods in San Antonio; moreover, he promoted the South Texas Border Initiative, which built and expanded campuses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley; and

WHEREAS, Fiercely committed to independent journalism and the lively exchange of ideas, he helped sustain the Texas Observer for decades, and he served on the board of its publisher, Texas Democracy Foundation; he was also a stalwart supporter of the Nation, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the public television programs of veteran journalist and commentator Bill Moyers; he underwrote the efforts of a number of nonfiction book authors and supported such progressive enterprises as the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, the Institute for Policy Studies, and the Economic Policy Institute; and

WHEREAS, Promoting liberal policies in government, Mr. Rapoport was an early fund-raiser for President Bill Clinton and a longtime friend of both Bill and Hillary Clinton; he was a close ally of Governor Ann Richards and supported a host of other Democratic politicians as well, including U.S. Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Ted Kennedy and U.S. Representative Chet Edwards; truly a "Capitalist with a Conscience," as he subtitled his autobiography, Mr. Rapoport accompanied his campaign donations with admonitions to raise his income taxes; and

WHEREAS, His circle included widely read columnists, powerful national officials, and other influential figures; while Mr. Rapoport loved to discuss advanced social and economic theory, he was equally comfortable chatting with the staff and customers at his favorite local restaurants; he questioned servers about their education and career plans, advising them to pursue a degree, and it was not unusual for him to contribute to an acquaintance's college fund; and

WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Rapoport shared a fulfilling relationship of 70 years with his wife; he took immense pride in their son, Ronald, and their treasured granddaughters, Abby and Emily; and

WHEREAS, Until his final days, Bernard Rapoport dedicated himself to making the world a more just, humane, and caring place; he changed many lives through his wisdom and generosity, and those who were fortunate enough to know him will forever remember his warmth, his wit, and his infinite kindness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Bernard Rapoport and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 Bernard Rapoport.

Turner of Tarrant

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 2115 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 17, 2013.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House