H.R. No. 2267
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Bert Williams, attorney and former
mayor of El Paso, is an outstanding community leader who was in the
forefront of efforts to address civil rights injustices and serious
environmental concerns in that city; and
WHEREAS, Unable to buy dinner for an African American teenage
boy who was refused service at a local restaurant in 1962, Mr.
Williams began working to eliminate such discrimination in his role
as a city alderman; within months, he was instrumental in
passing--over a mayor's veto--a city ordinance on civil rights that
banned discrimination in motels, hotels, theaters, and
restaurants; his youthful friend that fateful evening was none
other than Nolan Richardson, who went on to become a renowned
college basketball coach; and
WHEREAS, Serving as mayor from 1971 to 1973, he continued his
efforts to benefit El Paso and was one of the city's first elected
leaders to challenge ASARCO after high levels of lead were
discovered in children near the copper smelting facility; and
WHEREAS, Bert Williams has made a positive and lasting
difference in the lives of his fellow citizens, and through his
principled actions, he has set a notable example of civic
engagement for all Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor former El Paso mayor Bert Williams for his
admirable achievements as a community leader and civil rights
activist and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Williams as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Marquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2267 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House