SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 502
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Alan Russell Erwin
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Alan Russell Erwin, who died November
  12, 2019, at the age of 75; and
 
         WHEREAS, An esteemed member of the Austin community, Alan
  Erwin had a rewarding life of service and was a devoted husband,
  father, and grandfather; he was a distinguished veteran, an
  esteemed journalist and author, a respected statesman, and a
  faithful Christian servant; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan Erwin was born on September 4, 1944, in
  Greenville, Texas; he began cultivating his writing skills as a
  high school student working as a weekly reporter and columnist
  for the Baytown Sun, and he went on to earn a bachelor of arts
  degree in communications from The University of Texas at Austin;
  he married Gay Taylor in December of 1967, and three weeks later,
  he joined the United States Navy; after graduating from Officer
  Candidate School in Rhode Island, he was stationed aboard the USS
  Lexington to serve as the ship's communications and public
  affairs officer; in 1969, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam as
  an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy's Swift Boat division; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan worked as a reporter, editor, and publisher
  for such leading newspapers as the Dallas Morning News, the
  Houston Chronicle, and the New York Times, and he served as the
  capitol correspondent for the Hartman newspaper group; he
  accomplished his dream of writing a great American novel in 1984,
  when he published The Power Exchange; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan's political career began with his service as
  chief of staff for Congressman Bob Casey from Houston; he served
  as an advisor and a speech writer for Governor Dolph Briscoe, and
  in 1972, the governor appointed him to the Office of
  State-Federal Relations in Washington, D.C.; he was one of the
  three commissioners first appointed to the Texas Public Utility
  Commission, and after he left state government, he served as
  senior vice president and manager of the Houston division of Hill
  and Knowlton Public Relations; he then established his own
  consulting firm, Erwin and Associates; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan and Gay shared 51 years of marriage, and they
  were longtime members of the Episcopal Church of the Good
  Shepherd in Austin; they were blessed with three sons, Andy,
  Josh, and Will Erwin, and their seven grandchildren enriched his
  life immeasurably; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan remained committed to the United States Navy
  and his fellow veterans throughout his life, and he was proud to
  have helped raise $1.5 million in donations to commission the
  Vietnam Veterans Monument currently standing on the grounds of
  the Texas Capitol; he was a true Texas gentleman and a beloved
  member of his community, and he leaves behind memories that will
  long be cherished by all who were privileged to share in his life;
  now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Alan Russell Erwin; 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 Alan Erwin.
 
  Eckhardt
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 27, 2021, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate