83R1710 JWI-D
By: Geren H.R. No. 70
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, With the passing of Michael W. McKinney of Austin on
February 15, 2012, Texas lost a prominent figure in state politics
and an admired community leader; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Angelo in 1946, Mike McKinney was
president of the San Angelo Central High School student body his
senior year; he attended Angelo State University and graduated from
The University of Texas at Austin after earning his bachelor's
degree in government; he then began a 40-year career that would
never take him far from the pink dome and state politics; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKinney first worked for Preston Smith in the
office of lieutenant governor and continued to serve as his special
assistant after he was elected governor; following Governor Smith's
two terms in office, Mr. McKinney moved to the Texas Water Quality
Board as an assistant to the executive director; in 1977, he joined
the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, where he served as an
assistant administrator and helped modernize the agency; and
WHEREAS, A highly effective liaison, Mr. McKinney joined the
Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas in 1984 as vice president of
industry affairs, and he was promoted to chief executive officer in
1989; throughout his career, Mr. McKinney's effectiveness as a
legislative lobbyist was well known and highly respected; Capitol
Inside listed him as the number one "single client lobbyist" in
2004, and The Quorum Report ranked him at the top of the list of
"Most Knowledgeable, Greatest Candor" in the governmental affairs
arena; he won many honors for his work, including the F.X. Matt
Award for Significant Accomplishment from the Brewers Association
of America in 2002 and the National Beer Wholesalers Association's
President's Award for Legislative Excellence in 1998; the NBWA
posthumously honored him with its Life Service Award in October
2012; and
WHEREAS, Along with the recognition that he received for his
professional achievements, Mr. McKinney was esteemed for his many
civic endeavors; he served as president of the Bob Bullock Texas
State History Museum Foundation and vice chair of the Friends of
the Texas State Cemetery; he was a former member of the boards of
the Friends of the Governor's Mansion and Keep Texas Beautiful; and
since the mid-1980s, he had volunteered in the planning and support
for governor and lieutenant governor inaugural activities and
governor for a day celebrations; additionally, he was a 32nd degree
Mason and a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour and was a member
of the board of directors of the Scottish Rite Learning Center of
Austin; he was also a longtime board member and president of The
Austin Club; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, Mr. McKinney shared
nearly four decades with his beloved wife, the former LaNan Hooker,
and together they were blessed with two children, W. Blake McKinney
and Lauren Brooke McKinney, and three grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of a
man's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the
world as they move through it, and Mike McKinney's contributions to
his state will long resonate in the lives of all who knew him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Michael W. McKinney
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, LaNan; to his children, Dr. W. Blake McKinney and his wife,
Erika, and Lauren Brooke McKinney; to his grandchildren, Chad
William McKinney, Braden Michael McKinney, and Skylar Sands
McKinney; and to his other relatives and many 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 Michael
W. McKinney.