SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 420
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  William C. Powers Jr.
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of William C. Powers Jr., who died
  March 10, 2019, at the age of 72; and
         WHEREAS, Bill Powers was an exemplary citizen and a
  distinguished scholar, and his admirable leadership at The
  University of Texas at Austin had a positive and lasting impact
  on its status as a university of the first class; and
         WHEREAS, Born on May 30, 1946, Bill Powers grew up in
  modest circumstances in Los Angeles, California; he earned a
  bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of California,
  Berkeley, and he went on to earn a law degree from Harvard
  University; and
         WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Kim Heilbrun, enjoyed 36
  years of marriage together; his children, Matt, Kate, Allison,
  Annie, and Reid, and his six grandchildren were a source of much
  pride and joy for him; and
         WHEREAS, After serving the nation in the United States
  Navy, he moved to Austin in 1977 to become a visiting professor at
  The University of Texas School of Law; he quickly became known
  for his legal and philosophical expertise, and the law school
  became his intellectual home for more than four decades; he was
  named dean of the law school in 2000, and he rose to the position
  of university president in 2006; when he stepped down in 2015 to
  return to the law school, he was the second-longest-serving
  president in the university's history; and
         WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the university
  revamped its undergraduate curriculum and completed an
  eight-year fund-raising campaign that raised $3.1 billion; he
  was instrumental in the launch of the Longhorn Network and in
  laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Dell Medical
  School; and
         WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure as president, he was a
  fierce advocate on behalf of the school's faculty and students,
  and he was an eloquent defender of the study of the humanities, as
  well as a strong proponent of scientific and engineering
  research; he was an avid fan of Longhorn athletics and was often
  seen congratulating players on the sidelines and applauding
  their successes; and
         WHEREAS, Bill Powers was a man of immense intellect and
  wide-ranging esoteric interests, yet he had an ability to relate
  to people from all walks of life; he was treasured for both his
  affable demeanor and his exceptional achievements in the
  academic world, and he was beloved and respected by all who were
  privileged to share in his life; and
         WHEREAS, He was a deeply devoted husband, father, and
  grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished
  forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of William C. Powers Jr.; 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 Bill Powers.
 
  Watson
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 18, 2019, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate