H.R. No. 2357
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Admired newspaperman, philanthropist, and civic
leader Edward H. Harte passed away on May 18, 2011, at the age of 88;
and
WHEREAS, Born in Pilot Grove, Missouri, Ed Harte was raised
in San Angelo and learned the newspaper business from the ground up
at the San Angelo Standard-Times, which had been purchased by his
father in 1920; Mr. Harte began working as a switchboard operator
and earned his stripes as a reporter before rising through the
newsroom ranks to become publisher of the Corpus Christi
Caller-Times in 1962; a brilliant journalist and student of Mexican
politics, he created a popular Sunday column providing unique
insights into current events in Mexico and continued to write it
even after his retirement in 1987; Mr. Harte helped build his
family's media empire and served on the board of Harte-Hanks
Communications until 1997, when the company sold all its newspapers
to focus on its other businesses; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Harte was also a pioneer in environmental
conservation; he served on a committee that developed the first
municipal regulations setting limits on oil and gas drilling in
Corpus Christi Bay, which later became a model for state and federal
standards, and he was a powerful advocate for the establishment of
Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore; a
member of the National Audubon Society board and a former chair, he
received the organization's highest award, the Audubon Medal; he
joined with his brother, Houston, to donate their 66,000-acre ranch
to the Nature Conservancy, and the land was subsequently added to
Big Bend National Park; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Mr. Harte and his wife, Janet,
made numerous anonymous donations to worthy causes, focusing on the
environment, the arts, education, women's health care, and the
homeless; it was revealed in 1998 that the couple had given at least
$20 million to such causes, including a $1 million challenge grant
to Corpus Christi Metro Ministries to avert the closing of two
shelters, along with generous support for a library in Flour Bluff
and a performing arts center at Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi; with characteristic vision, Mr. Harte donated $46 million
in 2000 to establish the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico
Studies at TAMU-Corpus Christi; its researchers have made vital
contributions to marine science and have played an important,
ongoing role in the response to the massive 2010 BP oil spill; when
the Naval Air Station and Corpus Christi Army Depot were threatened
with closure, Mr. Harte used his considerable influence to keep
them open; and
WHEREAS, Ed Harte left an extraordinary legacy for the people
of Corpus Christi, the Lone Star State, the Gulf Coast, and beyond;
although this kind, witty, and unassuming man will be deeply missed
by all who were fortunate enough to know him, his tremendous
devotion to environmental and charitable causes will continue to
resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Edward H. Harte and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
children, Christopher Harte, William Harte, Elizabeth Owens, and
Julia Widdowson; to his brother, Houston Harte; to his nine
grandchildren, his great-grandchild, and his two
step-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 Edward H.
Harte.
Hunter
Scott
Aliseda
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2357 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House