SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 60
In Memory
of
Robert Lewis Hardesty
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Robert Lewis Hardesty, who died July 8,
2013, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Robert Hardesty served his state and nation with
dedication and distinction; over the course of his longtime
career, he excelled as a journalist, a presidential
speechwriter, and a university president; and
WHEREAS, Robert Lewis Hardesty was born June 4, 1931, in
Saint Louis, Missouri; he graduated from George Washington
University and served in the United States Army; after his
military service, he was a reporter and columnist for the Army
Times; and
WHEREAS, He went on to serve as the speechwriter for
Postmaster General John Gronouski, and after having been
recognized for authoring many of the best speeches written during
the 1964 presidential campaign, he was hired by President Lyndon
Baines Johnson as the president's speechwriter and aide; and
WHEREAS, He served in the White House until the end of the
Johnson administration and then moved to Austin to help the
president write his memoir, The Vantage Point: Perspectives of
the Presidency, 1963-1969; he also became press secretary and
special assistant to Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, with whom he
worked for three years; and
WHEREAS, He then served as vice chancellor for
governmental affairs for The University of Texas System, and
during his tenure, he was appointed by President Gerald Ford to
fill a vacancy on the United States Postal Service Board of
Governors; he served three terms as the board's chair and played
an important role in bringing political and fiscal stability to
the organization; he was the recipient of the Benjamin Franklin
Award, the highest honor bestowed by the postal service; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, he was named president of Southwest Texas
State University; under his exceptional leadership, sweeping
academic reforms were initiated, a state-of-the-art library was
constructed, and enrollment increased from 13,000 to 20,000;
during his seven-year tenure, the university's permanent
endowment grew from $400,000 to $7 million; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, determination, and strength, he
gave generously to others, and his many talents, his remarkable
eloquence, and his wry sense of humor will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of Robert Lewis Hardesty; 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 Robert L. Hardesty.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 19, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate