| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Diana Destine Sandefer Denman, widely admired as |
|
|
"the godmother of the Texas GOP," passed away on April 17, 2025, at |
|
|
the age of 91; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The daughter of Gilbert and Inez Sandefer, the |
|
|
former Diana Sandefer was born in Abilene on February 20, 1934; she |
|
|
graduated from George Washington University and embarked on a |
|
|
career as a model and actor; her equestrian skills won her parts in |
|
|
Western movies, and while filming a commercial, she met her first |
|
|
husband, Donald J. Dolen; they became the parents of a daughter, |
|
|
Destine; following the untimely death of Mr. Dolen, she was |
|
|
fortunate enough to find love a second time with Leroy G. Denman |
|
|
Jr.; they married in 1972 and collaborated closely in ranching, |
|
|
wildlife conservation, historical preservation, and philanthropy |
|
|
until his death in 2015; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mrs. Denman played a key role in making Texas a |
|
|
Republican stronghold; having helped found the Young Conservatives |
|
|
of Texas, she served for many years on its board of advisors; she |
|
|
first voted for Ronald Reagan, when he ran for president of the |
|
|
Screen Actors Guild, and sharing his commitment to victory in the |
|
|
Cold War, she championed his rise to the presidency; during his |
|
|
administration, she served in such roles as co-chair of the Peace |
|
|
Corps, election observer, and member of the National Museum |
|
|
Services Board; a mentor to countless younger conservatives, she |
|
|
was instrumental in many successful campaigns; moreover, she was |
|
|
very active in such influential organizations as the Center for |
|
|
Security Policy and the Philadelphia Society, which presented her |
|
|
with its highest honor, the Baron Award, in 2022; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Intensely patriotic, Mrs. Denman was a strong |
|
|
supporter of the U.S. armed forces, serving on the board of visitors |
|
|
of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation and on |
|
|
the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, as well as |
|
|
the U.S. Service Academy Nominations Board; her hospitality and |
|
|
generosity toward local service members in the San Antonio area won |
|
|
her recognition as a charter member of the Fort Sam Houston |
|
|
Distinguished Quartermasters; in all her endeavors, she drew |
|
|
strength from her Baptist faith; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Diana Denman gave freely of her time and talents to |
|
|
benefit her community, state, and country, and her contributions |
|
|
will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Diana Destine |
|
|
Sandefer Denman and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her |
|
|
family: to her daughter, Destine Denman Holmgreen; to her |
|
|
grandsons, Austin and Travis Holmgreen; and to her other relatives |
|
|
and many friends; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
|
|
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Diana |
|
|
Denman. |
| |
|
|
LaHood |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Speaker of the House |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 1129 was unanimously adopted by a |
|
|
rising vote of the House on May 23, 2025. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |