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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The citizens of DeSoto have lost a true civic leader |
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with the death of their mayor, the Honorable Curtistene Smith |
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McCowan, on October 28, 2020, at the age of 72; and |
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WHEREAS, The former Curtistene Smith was born in Jefferson to |
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Riley and Blanche Smith on February 25, 1948; she enjoyed the love |
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and support of her husband of 53 years, Leon McCowan, and she was |
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the proud mother of two sons, Danny and Leon; later in life, she was |
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blessed with three grandchildren, Tiana, Kirsten, and Taylor; she |
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held a bachelor's degree in business administration from Dallas |
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Baptist University, and she worked for the Federal Trade Commission |
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for 32 years until her retirement in 2005; and |
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WHEREAS, A pioneering public servant, Ms. McCowan was the |
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first African American to win public office in DeSoto when she was |
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elected to the school board in 1990, and in 2012, she was elected to |
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the city council; four years later, she became the first woman to be |
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elected mayor of DeSoto, winning reelection in 2019; moreover, she |
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was elected charter president of the DeSoto ISD Education |
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Foundation board in 2000, and she also held a seat on the board of |
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the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation, serving terms as vice |
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president and president; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. McCowan was a board member of such entities as |
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the Methodist Charlton Medical Center, the North Central Texas |
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Council of Governments, the Regional Transportation Council, and |
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the African American Education Archives and History Program, and |
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she served for more than seven years on the Texas Southern |
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University Board of Regents; she was also a Golden Life Member of |
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a longtime congregant of |
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Kirkwood Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; in 2007, a |
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DeSoto middle school was named in her honor; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family and her community, |
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Curtistene McCowan made a meaningful difference in the lives of her |
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loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and her contributions will be |
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fondly remembered for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Curtistene Smith |
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McCowan and extend sincere condolences to her relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Curtistene |
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McCowan. |