H.R. No. 519
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Emma Bass of Leon County has long exemplified civic
engagement at its finest, and her exceptional record of community
service is a continuing source of inspiration to all who know her;
and
WHEREAS, Born Emma Lou Blasingame in Houston on October 9,
1936, Mrs. Bass moved to Robbins at the age of seven; she gained
experience in the newspaper industry working for four years with
the Leon County News, and she subsequently established the
Centerville News, whose first issue came off the press on April 23,
1980; the paper became a community institution, and she continued
to publish it until her retirement in December 2014; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mrs. Bass has also contributed
immeasurably to a host of organizations that have benefited the
lives of area citizens; she is a cofounder of the Centerville
Chamber of Commerce and the Leon County Economic Development
Association, both of which she has served as a director and as
president, and she is also a cofounder of the Elmer P. and Jewel
Ward Memorial Library, whose board she has served as vice
president; in addition, she has been a representative to the Brazos
Valley Council of Governments, has helped to organize and lead such
groups as the Friends of Fort Boggy State Park and the Leon County
Opera, and has rendered extensive service to the Leon County Fourth
of July Funtier Days celebration as a director and committee
member; moreover, she has been a staunch supporter of 4-H, FFA, and
many other school organizations; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of all she has done to promote worthy
causes in her county, Mrs. Bass has twice been named Woman of the
Year by the Centerville chamber, which has also conferred on her its
Citizen of the Year Award, Past President's Award, Pioneer Award,
and Most Special Award; this esteemed Texan is the recipient of
myriad other honors as well, including the Community Builder Award
from the Centerville Masonic Lodge and citations from the Leon
County Genealogical Society, Leon County Retired Teachers
Association, and East Texas Mounted Search and Rescue; in 2014, she
served as grand marshal of the Funtier Days Parade; and
WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Mrs. Bass enjoyed the love and
support of her husband of 57 years, Walter Terrell Bass, who passed
away in 2009; she takes pride in a fine family that includes her
son, Walter Lee Bass, and his wife, Geneva, as well as two
granddaughters and several great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Those Texans who give freely of their time and
talents to benefit the larger community make the world a better
place through their actions and their example, and Emma Bass of Leon
County is indeed one such person; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Emma Bass for her many years of service
to the city of Centerville and to Leon County and extend to her
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
R
ESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Bass as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Ashby
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 519 was adopted by the House on March
5, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House