83S10355 BK-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.R. No. 184
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Cynthia Lee Baum Gerhardt, former chief clerk of the
Texas House of Representatives, on May 9, 2008; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Elmer "Doc" Carl Baum and Virginia
Kuns Baum, the former Cynthia Lee Baum was born on August 7, 1937,
in Fort Scott, Kansas; at the age of six, she moved with her family
to Austin, a city that she heartily adopted as her home; she
graduated from Austin High School and briefly worked for the
Treasury Department and the Texas Employment Commission, before
leaving to attend Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she
earned an associate's degree in 1957; while there, she married and
became the mother of two daughters, Suzanne and Sharon; and
WHEREAS, Returning to Austin, Ms. Gerhardt again found
employment in state government, initially working for members of
the Texas House of Representatives and later in the Office of the
Governor; in 1970, she started her impressive 25-year tenure in the
Chief Clerk's Office, and she served as chief clerk during parts of
the 73rd and 74th Legislatures; she retired in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gerhardt was possessed of a strong work ethic,
courage, and grace, qualities that she instilled in her children by
example; through the years, she was fortunate to receive the
support and affection of a wide circle of loved ones, including
lifelong friends and extended family with whom she shared many
memorable gatherings; she was enthusiastic about politics, as well
as University of Texas sports, and delighted others with her keen,
often droll, sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to know Cynthia Gerhardt
will forever treasure their memories of time spent in her company,
and the devotion and strength of spirit with which she lived will
remain a source of inspiration for years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Cynthia Lee Baum Gerhardt and extend sincere sympathy to the
members of her family: to her daughters, Suzanne "Suzy" Gerhardt
Ranney and her husband, Jack, and Sharon Gerhardt; to her
grandchildren, Carleton and Virginia Ranney; to her brother, Dr.
Alan C. Baum; to her nephew and niece, Alan Baum, Jr., and Caroline
Baum; to her longtime friends, Julie Whitworth Moore, Betty Murray,
MariBen Ramsey, and Marilyn Sandhop; and to her other relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Cynthia Lee
Baum Gerhardt.