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| 3 | 4 | | |
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| 4 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Grand Prairie lost an esteemed member of the |
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| 6 | 7 | | community with the passing of Bobby Kenneth Steen on February 2, |
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| 7 | 8 | | 2017, at the age of 85; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, The son of Odessa and Isaac Steen, Bobby Steen was |
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| 9 | 10 | | born on November 15, 1931; he attended Dallas public schools and |
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| 10 | 11 | | later completed his GED through the Grand Prairie Independent |
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| 11 | 12 | | School District; coming of age during segregation, Mr. Steen |
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| 12 | 13 | | recognized the need for lodgings to serve African American |
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| 13 | 14 | | travelers; he was a 27-year-old with just a little construction |
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| 14 | 15 | | experience when he designed and built Steen's Motel in the Dalworth |
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| 15 | 16 | | community, which was founded by African Americans at the turn of the |
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| 16 | 17 | | previous century; over the years, he welcomed myriad guests to his |
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| 17 | 18 | | establishment, which featured a community kitchen and dining room, |
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| 18 | 19 | | and everyone from migrant workers to prominent entertainers enjoyed |
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| 19 | 20 | | his hospitality; and |
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| 20 | 21 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Steen developed such strong customer loyalty |
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| 21 | 22 | | that the motel continued to thrive even after integration enabled |
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| 22 | 23 | | African Americans to take advantage of more conveniently located |
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| 23 | 24 | | accommodations; in addition, he had guests who became long-term |
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| 24 | 25 | | residents and remained family friends after moving away; the motel |
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| 25 | 26 | | was designated a Grand Prairie Significant Landmark and received a |
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| 26 | 27 | | historic marker in 2007; and |
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| 27 | 28 | | WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Steen shared a fulfilling |
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| 28 | 29 | | relationship of 42 years with his wife, Gale, and he took great |
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| 29 | 30 | | pride in his six children, Bobby, Isaac, Glen, Darrell, Ali, and |
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| 30 | 31 | | Keyma, as well as seven grandchildren and seven |
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| 31 | 32 | | great-grandchildren; he was a valued member of the Faith Fellowship |
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| 32 | 33 | | Baptist Church; and |
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| 33 | 34 | | WHEREAS, Bobby Steen lived a full and productive life |
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| 34 | 35 | | surrounded by those he loved, and they will forever hold him close |
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| 35 | 36 | | in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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| 36 | 37 | | RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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| 37 | 38 | | Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Bobby Kenneth Steen |
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| 38 | 39 | | and extend sincere condolences to his many relatives and friends; |
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| 39 | 40 | | and, be it further |
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| 40 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 41 | 42 | | prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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| 42 | 43 | | Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bobby |
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| 43 | 44 | | Steen. |
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