SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 462
WHEREAS, Ken Kramer retired as executive director of the
Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club on July 31, 2012, concluding
a notable career with that organization that spanned more than
three decades; and
WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Kramer served his country as a
member of the United States Army before earning a doctoral degree
in political science from Rice University; he subsequently
worked as a professor at San Angelo State University and Texas
A&M University and became involved with the Sierra Club's Lone
Star Chapter along the way; he served as the group's legislative
chair and as a member of the executive committee, and he
ultimately left academia in 1982 to focus on environmental
advocacy; he was the chapter's contract lobbyist until 1989 when
he was hired as its first director; and
WHEREAS, Under his skillful stewardship, the Lone Star
Chapter became a model of organizational strength and effective
representation, serving as a staunch advocate for improved air
quality and state parks and as an important resource regarding
state water policy; Mr. Kramer established a long and
wide-ranging list of noteworthy conservation achievements,
including his successful efforts to encourage the state to retain
ownership of the remote 20,000-acre Devils River State Natural
Area; his guidance also paved the way toward the reduced use of
coal as a power source and Texas' emergence as a national leader
in renewable energy production; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kramer continues to contribute to the
environmental cause as a member of the Water Conservation
Advisory Council, the Advisory Council for the Environmental
Science Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, and the
board of the Texas Water Foundation; his accomplishments further
include serving as editor of The Living Waters of Texas, a volume
of essays and photographs about our state's water features; and
WHEREAS, Known for his insightful knowledge of policy, Ken
Kramer is admired by colleagues as a wise strategist who keeps
his humor in spite of the challenges; he has dedicated his career
to preserving the Lone Star State's natural resources and to
working for clean air, water, and land on behalf of its citizens,
and his efforts will continue to make a positive difference in
the lives of Texans for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby congratulate Ken Kramer on his
retirement as executive director of the Lone Star Chapter of the
Sierra Club and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Mr. Kramer as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 20, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate