88R26910 BPG-D

By: Lambert H.R. No. 1555

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The residents of Abilene lost an admired champion of higher education and friend to all with the passing of former state representative Dr. Robert D. Hunter on February 11, 2023, at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, The son of Grover Cleveland Hunter and Grace May Grubb Hunter, Bob Hunter was born in Dodge City, Kansas, on June 25, 1928; he grew up with 11 siblings, and after moving to California, he graduated from high school in San Mateo; he relocated to Texas to enroll at Abilene Christian College, beginning a lifelong affiliation with the institution that would later become Abilene Christian University; a leader in campus life during his undergraduate years, he sang in the A Cappella Chorus and Men's Quartet and served as president of several organizations; he was also vice president of the Student Association and a statewide officer in the Texas Intercollegiate Student Association; after completing his bachelor's degree in business, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, both in the Far East and with the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter returned to his beloved college alma mater as director of special events, and in 1957, he was named its first director of alumni relations; later, as assistant to the president, he directed the 10-year Design for Development that led to the construction of many new buildings; he eventually rose to become senior vice president, a role that encompassed government relations, before his retirement in 1993; committed to enriching the student and alumni experience, he originated more than two dozen ACU traditions, including Freshman Follies, the Parade of Flags at Opening Assembly, the President's Circle Dinner, the annual alumni awards program, Sing Song, and the Homecoming Musical; he was known for his warm smile and trademark greeting, "Hello, friend," and his tremendous enthusiasm and congeniality helped define the ACU spirit; and

WHEREAS, In the 1970s, Dr. Hunter also served the wider community during a term on the Abilene City Council; from 1970 to 1980, he was executive vice president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, and he galvanized support for the legislation creating the Tuition Equalization Grant program; since its establishment, students at private institutions in the state have received Tuition Equalization Grants totaling more than $2.6 billion; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter became the first Taylor County Republican to win a seat in the Texas House of Representatives when he was elected in 1986, and he was returned to office in the next 10 elections; working tirelessly in behalf of his constituents and higher education in general, he missed just a single roll-call vote over the course of two decades, when his doctors refused his pleas to release him while he was being evaluated for a possible heart attack; for a decade, he chaired the Committee on State, Federal and International Relations, and he later led the House Research Organization; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Representative Hunter championed legislation to enable Cisco College to build a campus in Abilene; when the bill faced a potential veto from Governor William P. Clements, who was displeased with a previous vote by the representative, Dr. Hunter selflessly removed his name from the legislation, and the measure became law; the next year, he was appointed chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight, bringing to that role his deep expertise in the state's dual system of higher education; in addition, he was vice chair for the Committee on Regulated Industries and co-chair of the Special House Select Committee on NAFTA and GATT international trade agreements; no matter how stressful the situation, he lived up to his nickname, "Smilin' Bob," and he brightened the days and earned the affection of countless people in the Capitol community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter further benefited Abilene as a member of the boards and advisory boards of numerous organizations, among them the Classical Chorus of Abilene, Meals on Wheels, the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Abilene/Taylor County Child Advocacy Center; moreover, he was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion and, for over a half century, he was an active member of University Church of Christ; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of myriad accolades, Dr. Hunter was awarded honorary doctorates by ACU, Texas Wesleyan University, the University of St. Thomas, Austin College, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, and Pepperdine University in California; in February 2006, ACU named its Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center in honor of Dr. Hunter and his wife; the couple married on May 27, 1954, and they were blessed with three children, Kent, Carole, and Les, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Mrs. Hunter passed away in 2021; and

WHEREAS, The loss of Bob Hunter is keenly felt by the multitude of friends that he made and the many people whose lives he forever enriched, but his enormous contributions will continue to resonate in the years to come, and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Dr. Robert D. Hunter and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his children and their spouses, Kent Hunter and Jonathan Blumberg, Carole Phillips and her husband, Danny, and Les Hunter; to his grandchildren and their spouses, Landon and Jennifer Phillips, Chad and Aundrea Phillips, Mitchell and Emily Danesi, Dino Hunter, and Lyra Hunter; to his great-grandchildren, Crawford Danesi, Henley Danesi, Beckham Phillips, and Kenzo Phillips; and to his other relatives and 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Bob Hunter.