SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 572

In Memory

of

Don L. Rives

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Don L. Rives, who died March 27, 2015, at the age of 80; and

WHEREAS, Don Rives was born September 8, 1934, in Marshall, to Lois Maurine Anderson Rives and Luther Aaron Rives; as a young boy, he performed with the Apollo Boys' Choir in venues across the country, notably the Bell Telephone Hour winter holiday national broadcast from New York City in the early 1940s; and

WHEREAS, He was a 1952 honors graduate of Marshall High School, where he served as student body president and as president of the Texas State Association of Student Councils; he went on to graduate summa cum laude from North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas, and to earn a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rives returned to his hometown in 1959 and served as assistant district attorney for Harrison County, and he later entered private practice at the law firm of Bibb and Rives; he was appointed United States Magistrate, Marshall Division, for the Eastern District of Texas in 1965; and

WHEREAS, He served the state with distinction as a member of the Constitutional Revision Commission, and in 1974, he became executive assistant to Lieutenant Governor William P. Hobby, and he served as executive director of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas; he was later appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the University of North Texas Board of Regents, and he also served on the university's athletic council; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rives was active in a wide range of professional, civic, and philanthropic organizations, including the Harrison County Hospital Association board of trustees, the Marshall Independent School District Board of Trustees, Camp Fire, the Boy Scouts of America, the Westlake High School Chap Club, Booster Club, and Choral Department, and the administrative board of First United Methodist Church in Austin; and

WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of 54 years, Pat, raised three children together and were blessed with seven grandchildren, whose activities Don followed with great interest; and

WHEREAS, Don Rives was a respected leader who contributed greatly to his community; a man of courage, compassion, and integrity, he gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, warmth, and wise counsel will not be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and his many friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Don L. Rives; 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 Don Rives.

Watson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 15, 2015, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate