H.R. No. 2168
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former El Paso mayor Larry Francis was honored by
the El Paso County Historical Society with induction into its Hall
of Honor in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the society pays homage to men and women
who have made significant contributions to the development and
quality of life in El Paso County throughout its history, and
Mr. Francis is indeed one such individual; and
WHEREAS, Born in San Antonio in 1933, Larry Francis moved
with his family to El Paso in 1941 and went on to graduate from
Austin High School a decade later; he enrolled at Texas A&M
University and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical
engineering, after which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the United States Air Force; and
WHEREAS, On completing his enlistment in 1959, Mr. Francis
returned to El Paso and started an electronics business, Francis
Communications, that he would eventually pass on to his son, Rick;
in 1965, he founded the SYT Corporation, which he operated for many
years until selling the company and retiring in the 1980s; the SYT
Corporation specialized in designing and producing governmental
telecommunications equipment and systems and is known for
introducing the first direct telephone interface between mobile
radios and the common carrier telephone system; and
WHEREAS, It was during his retirement years that Mr. Francis
decided to venture into public service, holding his first post as
the chair of the Civil Service Commission; in 1993, he became the
45th mayor of El Paso after defeating the incumbent and 10 other
candidates, and he won a landslide victory for reelection two years
later; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his tenure, Mayor Francis guided
the city through a period of growth and modernization; in a short
time, he helped close the budget deficit and create a surplus, and
he was instrumental in resuming stalled expansion efforts for the
local zoo and airport and in moving forward plans for the
redevelopment of the Union Plaza District; drawing on his career
experience, he also led his administration in implementing major
technology upgrades, including new computer servers and a
cutting-edge radio communication system for fire, police, and
emergency medical personnel; and
WHEREAS, In addition to ably meeting the duties of his
office, this esteemed gentleman was a member of a number of boards
and commissions, among them the Sun Bowl Host Committee and the
Joint Legislature Support Committee, as well as advisory bodies for
the Fort Bliss Air Defense Museum and the El Paso A&M Club; he has
further immersed himself in activities with his church and the Boy
Scouts of America and in charitable fund-raising endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Along the way, Mr. Francis has been blessed with a
fine family that includes his wife, Marilyn Francis, their
children, Rick, Linda, Brian, and Carolyn, and their grandchildren;
and
WHEREAS, Through his contributions as a public official,
businessman, and engaged citizen, Larry Francis has greatly
enhanced the community he is proud to call home, and he has earned a
lasting place among the most influential leaders, past and present,
to have lived and served in El Paso; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate former mayor Larry Francis on his
induction into the El Paso County Historical Society Hall of Honor
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. Francis as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Márquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2168 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House