H.R. No. 1461
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a respected diplomat and a
champion of higher education with the death of Roy Richard
Rubottom, Jr., who passed away on December 6, 2010, at the age of
98; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Lone Star State, Richard Rubottom
was born in Brownwood on February 13, 1912; he was awarded a
scholarship to Southern Methodist University, and during his years
at the school, he served as president of his class and editor of the
newspaper; after earning his bachelor's and master's degrees, he
went on to study Latin American relations at The University of Texas
at Austin, where he was assistant dean of students; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rubottom joined the Navy in 1941 and served in
naval intelligence in Mexico and Paraguay during World War II; he
attained the rank of commander, and following his five years with
the military, he became vice president of a bank in Corsicana; and
WHEREAS, Soon after, his interest in foreign affairs led him
to enter the diplomatic service; through the years, he helped to
establish the Organization of American States in Bogota, Colombia,
served as officer in charge of Mexican affairs in Washington, D.C.,
and directed the Office of Middle American Affairs; he worked with
the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and was appointed deputy assistant
secretary of state for inter-American affairs and assistant
secretary of state; and
WHEREAS, During the 1950s, Mr. Rubottom was instrumental in
shaping American foreign policy toward Latin America, particularly
Cuba; a dedicated proponent of U.S. interests in a shifting and
volatile climate, he believed that important influence was
exercised through education, economic ties, and cooperative
endeavors that brought mutual benefit to nations; and
WHEREAS, Named ambassador to Argentina in 1960, Mr. Rubottom
attained the rank of career minister before concluding his foreign
service as State Department adviser to the U.S. Naval War College in
Newport, Rhode Island; in 1964, he began a second career in higher
education and joined the administration at SMU, working as
administrative vice president and vice president for planning; and
WHEREAS, Following two years of service as president of the
University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, he returned to SMU,
where he was a political science professor and
scholar-in-residence; in 1975, he was named professor emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rubottom remained active in the Dallas community
after his retirement; in addition to directing the Dallas Office of
International Affairs, he was a valued volunteer with the Boy
Scouts of America for many years; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the support of a
loving family, including his wife, Billy Ruth, with whom he shared
69 years of marriage, and his children, Eleanor, Frank, and John;
and
WHEREAS, Richard Rubottom distinguished himself through his
leadership in foreign affairs and his contributions to the field of
education, and he leaves behind an outstanding record of service
that will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Roy Richard Rubottom,
Jr., and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to
his daughter, Eleanor Odden, and her husband, Allan; to his sons,
Frank Rubottom and John Rubottom and his wife, Angie; to his
grandchildren, Sarina, Robert, Jay, and Taylor; to his
great-grandson, Micah; 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 Richard
Rubottom.
Branch
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1461 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 12, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House