SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 455

In Memory

of

B. Jack Wendt

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and pays tribute to the life of B. Jack Wendt, who died February 22, 2013, at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, Jack Wendt was a third-generation rice farmer whose success in all facets of the industry stand as a testament to his hard work, his innovative spirit, and his outstanding leadership; and

WHEREAS, Jack Wendt was born November 4, 1922, into a family of rice growers; he attended Texas A&M University until land became available for him to plant his first crop, and he went on to grow rice for 70 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wendt served in the Army Air Corps during World War II; he married his high school sweetheart, Billie Harris, in 1947, and they shared more than 65 years together and raised four daughters; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wendt was a driving force in the advancement of the cultivation of rice; he traveled abroad to promote conservation techniques and new planting and harvesting methods, and he held numerous positions in support of the industry; and

WHEREAS, He served as president of the USA Rice Council and its International Programs Committee, and he was a director of the United States Rice Growers Association and the USA Rice Federation; in Texas, he also gave generously of his time, serving on the Texas Rice Producers Board, the Rice Industry Coalition for the Environment, the Texas Rice Improvement Association, and many other councils; Texas A&M University named a chair after Mr. Wendt for his efforts and assistance in enhancing rice research in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wendt was a devoted husband and father and was a faithful member of Saint John's United Methodist Church in Richmond; he will long be remembered for his kind and helpful spirit, his commitment to his family, and his love for rice farming; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of B. Jack Wendt; 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 Jack Wendt. Hegar

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 13, 2013, by a rising vote.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate