H.R. No. 2061
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The city of San Antonio lost a distinguished citizen
with the death of General Robert Tralles Herres on July 24, 2008, at
the age of 75; and
WHEREAS, Robert Herres was born in Denver in 1932 to F.
Willard and Edna Herres; after graduating from the U.S. Naval
Academy in 1954, he entered the U.S. Air Force; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding officer's early career in the Air
Force included assignments as a fighter pilot, an air electronics
maintenance officer, a flying instructor, and a technical
intelligence analyst; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from the Aerospace Research Pilot
School, General Herres was assigned to the Manned Orbiting
Laboratory as a crew member in 1967; he went on to command the 449th
Bombardment Wing, the 310th Strategic Wing, the Air Force
Communications Command, and the 8th Air Force of the Strategic Air
Command; and
WHEREAS, General Herres became commander of the North
American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Air Force Space
Command in 1984, and the following year he became the first
commander-in-chief of the U.S. Space Command; in 1987, he became
vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the second-ranking
officer in the U.S. military, a position he held until his
retirement in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary military career,
General Herres earned the Bronze Star, the Defense Distinguished
Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster, and many other commendations; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, General Herres went to work for USAA in San
Antonio, becoming chair and CEO of the company in 1993, and he
expanded coverage to encompass enlisted men and women before
retiring in 2002; he benefited many worthy organizations with his
leadership as well, serving on the national boards of the Boy Scouts
of America, Junior Achievement, and the U.S. Naval Academy
Foundation; he led the annual campaign for the United Way of San
Antonio and Bexar County, and he also served on the boards of VRTX
Technologies, Trinity University, and Austin Presbyterian Seminary
and was an elder at First Presbyterian Church; and
WHEREAS, Robert Herres dedicated his life to the service of
his fellow citizens, and memories of this remarkable man will live
forever in the hearts of all those who were privileged to know him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of General Robert T.
Herres and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family,
whom he deeply loved: to his wife of 51 years, Shirley Herres; to
his children, Julie Latenser, Michael Herres, and Jennifer Babeon;
to his 10 grandchildren; 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 Robert T.
Herres.
Castro
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2061 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House