H.R. No. 2038
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Max Stool of San Antonio has distinguished himself
through his dedicated and enthusiastic service to his community,
state, and nation; and
WHEREAS, The son of Dave and Esther Stool, Max Stool was born
on September 11, 1922, in Del Rio, just two years after his parents
had emigrated from the Ukraine through Ellis Island; as a youth, he
worked part-time in his father's clothing business, the Star Store,
which was located on the city's Main Street; he graduated in 1940
from Del Rio High School and went on to attend The University of
Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Stool was
inspired to enlist in the army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio,
and he subsequently trained in aircraft maintenance at Oklahoma A&M
University; he served as a member of the Army Air Corps and
participated in six campaigns, including Normandy, northern
France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Air Offensive
Europe, before being honorably discharged on October 2, 1945; he
was awarded the European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with
six bronze stars; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stool completed his bachelor's degree at
UT-Austin in 1947 and married the former Libbie Polsky in August of
that same year; the couple lived in Austin while Mr. Stool earned
his law degree, and then settled in Del Rio, where together they
raised three children, Ethan, Elizabeth, and Ben, and where Mr.
Stool returned to work at the Star Store; except for a stint as an
attorney with the Internal Revenue Service at the U.S. Department
of the Treasury, he helped operate the family business, which he
eventually took over, until his retirement in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his hometown, Mr. Stool shared his time
and talents with such organizations as the local Girl Scouts
council, the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, the Del Rio Council for
the Arts, and Val Verde Friends of the Arts, and he was active in the
Rotary Club for 50 years; moreover, he held public office as a board
member of the Del Rio Independent School District from 1961 to 1965
and later served as chair of the Val Verde County Democratic Party;
along the way, he volunteered in numerous United Fund campaigns and
served as the area liaison for the chaplain's office at Laughlin Air
Force Base; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stool's public engagement further extends to his
membership in the Texas Jewish Historical Society and the Texas
Jewish War Veterans; dedicated to his faith and heritage, he has
twice traveled to Israel, and he celebrated a second bar mitzvah in
November 2007 at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan is known for his natural
curiosity, his ability to make and keep friends, and his
razor-sharp memory; he takes great pleasure in traveling,
corresponding with others, and spending time with his family, which
has grown to include six grandchildren; a resident of San Antonio
since 2003, he has shared his experience as a soldier during World
War II with local high school students; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Max Stool has demonstrated
a commitment to his fellow citizens, and it is indeed a pleasure to
honor him for his long and accomplished life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Max Stool for his outstanding
contributions to his community, state, and nation and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Stool as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Gallego
Shelton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2038 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House