84R5359 CJM-D
 
  By: Whitmire, et al. S.C.R. No. 17
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The city of Houston lost a galvanizing leader with
  the passing of former mayor Bob Lanier on December 20, 2014, at the
  age of 89; and
         WHEREAS, Born to Jesse and Sally Lanier on March 10, 1925,
  Robert Clayton Lanier grew up in Baytown and served as a naval
  officer during World War II; he attended the University of New
  Mexico and subsequently earned a law degree from The University of
  Texas at Austin; though he enjoyed successful careers in law,
  banking, and real estate, he ultimately found himself drawn to
  politics and public service; he chaired the Texas Highway
  Commission from 1983 to 1987 and then led Houston's Metropolitan
  Transit Authority for a year; and
         WHEREAS, First elected mayor in 1991, Mr. Lanier was
  reelected by an overwhelming majority in 1993 and again in 1995;
  although the city's adoption of term limits precluded a fourth run
  for the office, his fierce intelligence, deep knowledge of public
  policy, and skillful coalition-building allowed him to effect
  far-reaching changes over the course of his six-year tenure; he
  fulfilled a campaign promise to increase police patrols and reduce
  crime, and he made great strides in revitalizing the downtown area
  and improving infrastructure in disadvantaged neighborhoods;
  moreover, he was an unyielding champion of ethnic diversity, and
  toward the end of his final term, he led a successful campaign to
  save the city's affirmative action program for minority business
  owners; and
         WHEREAS, After leaving office, Mr. Lanier remained a force in
  Houston politics and civic affairs; he hosted fund-raisers,
  supported charities, and founded the Lanier Public Policy
  Conference at the University of Houston; and
         WHEREAS, Frequently recognized for his outstanding service
  to Houston and to the State of Texas, Mr. Lanier received such
  prestigious accolades as the Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award and
  the Ben Taub Humanitarian Award; he was praised by former
  presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and Texas Monthly
  magazine named him one of the top three Texas mayors of the 20th
  century; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Lanier married Elizabeth Grant in 1954, and the
  couple became the proud parents of five children; after being
  widowed, Mr. Lanier exchanged wedding vows in 1984 with Elyse Bauer
  and welcomed into his heart and home her two children; and
         WHEREAS, A man of tremendous energy and ability, Bob Lanier
  helped shape the destiny of a great American city through his
  determination to enhance the quality of life for all its residents,
  and his enormous contributions as a public servant and civic leader
  will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Bob Lanier and
  extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
  Elyse Lanier; to his children, Robert Clayton Lanier Jr. and his
  wife, Donna, John Frederic Lanier, Elizabeth Lanier Campbell, Susan
  Holly Lanier, Scott Augustus Lanier, Courtney Lanier Sarofim and
  her husband, Christopher, and Kevin Scott Robins and his wife,
  Sara; to his grandchildren, Robert Clayton Lanier III, Carlton
  Thomas Lanier, Brent Lanier Campbell, Judith Ann Lanier, Mary
  Jessica Lanier, Robert Mitchell Lanier, Gillian Stude Sarofim,
  Louisa Lanier Sarofim, Fayez Shalaby Sarofim II, Eva Elyse Robins,
  and Rhett Ezekiel Robins; and to his other relatives and many
  friends; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
  Bob Lanier.