SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 418
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize educator, activist, and community leader Jewell
Christine White Kyker on the occasion of her 90th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Chris Kyker was born March 30, 1925; she grew up
in Lubbock and attended Abilene Christian University where she
earned multiple degrees; she went on to serve as speech and
theater director at her alma mater, which has honored her with
its Outstanding Alumnus Award; and
WHEREAS, She married Rex Paxton Kyker in 1946, and they
were blessed with five children and in time with grandchildren;
she instilled in them the importance of education and public
service, and they collectively hold dozens of college degrees and
are involved in leadership roles with many community
organizations and boards; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Kyker has been an active and effective
advocate on issues related to mental health and aging for many
years, and she has received numerous awards and honors for her
work; she was the founding president and chief executive officer
of Disability Resources, Incorporated, and the founding director
of the West Central Texas Area Agency on Aging; Governor Bill
Clements named her as the first executive director of the Texas
Department on Aging, and she served as a delegate to the 2005
White House Conference on Aging and as the Texas state
coordinator for the conference in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Kyker has been a leader in the Texas
Silver-HairedLegislature;sheservedasitsspeakerand
as treasurer of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature Foundation,
and in 2007, Governor Rick Perry presented her with the
Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with the
organization; and
WHEREAS, A beloved and respected citizen of our state, she
is noted for her wisdom and her wise counsel, and her enthusiasm
for living each day to the fullest is an inspiration to all those
who know her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby commend Jewell Christine White Kyker on her
commitment to public service and her many contributions to our
state and extend to her best wishes for a memorable 90th birthday
celebration; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Whitmire
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 23, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate