SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 372
In Memory
of
Samuel E. Kinch, Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of journalist and author Samuel E. Kinch,
Jr., who died February 1, 2011, at the age of 70; and
WHEREAS, Sam Kinch, Jr., was born February 18, 1940, in
Fort Worth; he grew up in Austin, attending Pease and Bryker
Woods Elementary Schools and University Junior High School
before graduating from McCallum High School in 1958; and
WHEREAS, Following his active-duty military service in the
United States Army, Mr. Kinch earned bachelor's and master's
degrees at The University of Texas, where he was editor of The
Daily Texan and gained his first experience covering the Texas
Legislature as a reporter; and
WHEREAS, He married Lilas Janice Shelby on April 12, 1963,
and the couple soon moved to Washington, D.C., where he covered
politics during the administrations of Lyndon Johnson and
Richard Nixon for the National Observer, the Dallas
Times-Herald, and the Dallas Morning News; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kinch returned to Texas in 1970 as the state
political editor of the Dallas Morning News; he won numerous
awards for his reporting and he wrote three books, Texas Under a
Cloud, about the Sharpstown stock-fraud scandal, Too Much is Not
Enough, about state-level reform of campaign finance laws, and
Crapshoot Justice, about judicial election reform; he cofounded
Texas Weekly in 1984, which became the largest statewide report
on government and politics; and
WHEREAS, Noted for his irreverent wit and his commitment to
journalism, he brought both a dogged determination and a humorous
touch to his coverage of issues affecting the state; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and kindness, he gave
unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his generous spirit, and
his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be
forgotten by those who knew him; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and his family and friends will continue to live
with the cherished memories of his life and his many
achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Sam Kinch; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his 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 Samuel E. Kinch, Jr.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 28, 2011,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate