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SENATE RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of Thomas Everett Spencer, who died April |
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2, 2025, at the age of 68; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on July 17, 1956, in Poughkeepsie, New York, |
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Thomas Spencer was raised in Port Arthur, Texas, and later |
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settled in Austin; he earned a degree in history from The |
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University of Texas at Austin and embarked on a distinguished |
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career founded on a strong commitment to public service and a |
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thoughtful and conscientious approach to community stewardship; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Tom Spencer began his employment with KLRU Public |
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Television in Austin in 1982, and he became noted for producing |
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award-winning programs that elevated public discourse and |
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highlighted the beauty of Texas life; over the course of his |
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career, his role as the longtime host of "Central Texas Gardener" |
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made him a beloved local figure and a treasured source of |
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knowledge, inspiration, and encouragement to generations of |
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viewers who saw in him both a teacher and a friend; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his work in television, Tom was a |
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familiar and comforting presence on the radio and hosted a |
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Saturday morning gardening show on KLBJ-AM for three decades; his |
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poetic reflections, evocative photography, and personal essays |
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on his website, "Soul of the Garden," revealed a spirit rooted |
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deeply in the natural rhythms of life; and |
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WHEREAS, A passionate environmentalist and civic leader, |
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Tom Spencer believed that tending the land was akin to tending |
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the soul, and his leadership in environmental and civic |
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organizations reflected that calling; he served with distinction |
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at TreeFolks, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, the National |
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Wildlife Federation, and I Live Here, I Give Here, and he |
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received a lifetime achievement award from TreeFolks in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Revered for his wisdom and gentle spirit, |
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Mr. Spencer carried himself with quiet strength and lived each |
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day with spiritual intention, open-hearted curiosity, and |
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reverence for beauty and truth; he was a beloved brother, a |
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trusted colleague, and a guiding light to many; and |
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WHEREAS, Thomas Spencer approached life with curiosity and |
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reverence, and he is remembered for his commitment to nature, |
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education, and community; though his passing brings great |
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sorrow, the life of Tom Spencer remains a blessing to all who knew |
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him, and his voice, his vision, and his enduring presence in the |
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spirit of Austin will endure for years to come; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th |
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Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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family of Thomas Everett Spencer; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Thomas Spencer. |