SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 989
In Memory
of
Anne Legendre Armstrong
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Anne Legendre Armstrong, who died July
30, 2008, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, An ambassador to Great Britain, an adviser to four
United States presidents, and a recipient of the Presidential
Medal of Freedom, Anne Legendre Armstrong was an inspiration to
generations of women who admired her for her distinguished record
of public service on behalf of our nation and its institutions;
and
WHEREAS, Born December 27, 1927, in New Orleans,
Louisiana, Anne Legendre graduated from Foxcroft School, where
she was valedictorian of her class and head of the student body;
she earned a bachelor's degree from Vassar College, where she was
elected to Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year; and
WHEREAS, She married Tobin Armstrong in 1950, and the
couple raised five children on the Armstrong family ranch in
South Texas; the ranch remained Anne Armstrong's home throughout
her life, and she and her husband enjoyed a marriage of 55 years;
and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Mrs. Armstrong was named cochair of the
Republican National Committee; she was the first woman to hold
that post for either national political party, and in 1972, she
was the first woman to deliver a keynote address at a national
political convention; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Armstrong was appointed counselor to the
president with cabinet rank by President Richard Nixon; she
remained in that position under President Gerald Ford, who
eventually named her Ambassador to the Court of Saint James's;
and
WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan appointed Mrs. Armstrong
chair of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, a
position she continued to hold under the leadership of President
George H. W. Bush; in 1987, President Reagan honored her for her
patriotism and outstanding service to the nation by awarding her
the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Armstrong and her husband played an active
role in Texas politics and helped to establish Texas as a
two-party state; in addition to her political undertakings, Mrs.
Armstrong served on the board of regents of The Texas A&M
University System and was a director on the boards of such
corporations as General Motors, American Express, and
Halliburton; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary lady of exceptional strength and
resolve, Mrs. Armstrong gave unselfishly of her time and energy
to others, and her generosity and legacy of patriotism and public
service will long be remembered by all who knew her; and
WHEREAS, Anne Armstrong was noted for her warmth and
intelligence and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and
she leaves behind memories that will be deeply treasured by all
who were privileged to share in her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Anne Legendre Armstrong: her sons and
daughters-in-law, J. Barclay Armstrong and Nancy, James
Armstrong and Lucy, and Tobin Armstrong, Jr., and Ardon; her
daughters and sons-in-law, Katharine and Ben Love and Sarita and
Bob Hixon; her sister, Katharine Legendre King; and her 13
grandchildren; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Anne Legendre Armstrong.
Lucio
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 25, 2009, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate