SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 404
In Memory
of
Sue Brandt McBee
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of civic leader,
journalist, and poet Sue Brandt McBee, who died January 3, 2011,
at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Sue Brandt McBee was born September 23, 1923, in
Hamburg, Germany; like countless immigrants before her, she
entered the United States at Ellis Island; she lived in New York
City for some years before moving with her family to Austin; and
WHEREAS, She graduated from Austin High School at the age
of 16 before entering the Journalism School at The University of
Texas, where she served as editor of the Daily Texan; she married
fellow student Frank McBee in 1943 and the couple enjoyed a
57-year marriage of mutual respect and support; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, Mrs. McBee joined the staff of
the Austin American-Statesman as a columnist; she went on to
write Austin: The Past Still Present, a collection of stories
about historically and architecturally significant buildings and
homes in the city, and Lines for a Texas Town, a collection of her
poetry, was published in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McBee worked for many years to preserve
historic homes and buildings throughout the city and held several
offices with the Heritage Society of Austin, including chair of
its foundation; she was also the founding president of the Austin
History Center; and
WHEREAS, She was active in numerous civic and
philanthropic organizations in addition to her historical
preservation work; she served as a member of the board of
trustees of the Headliners Club and in 1978 was the first woman to
chair the United Way Capital Area Annual Drive; she contributed
significantly to Saint Edward's University and was an avid
supporter of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum; and
WHEREAS, She received numerous awards and commendations
through the years; she was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the
College of Communications at The University of Texas at Austin
and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Saint
Edward's University; the honor of which she was perhaps most
proud was the establishment of the Sue and Frank McBee Elementary
School; and
WHEREAS, A woman of courage, strength, and boundless
generosity, she gave unselfishly to all who knew her, from the
waitresses and taxi drivers whose lives she took a genuine
interest in to those who walked the halls of power; and
WHEREAS, She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother,
and her family and countless friends will continue to live with
the cherished memory of her life and her many accomplishments;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Sue Brandt McBee: her daughter, Marilyn McBee Moore; her
son, Robert Frank McBee; and her grandson, Michael Brett Moore; 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
Sue Brandt McBee.
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