SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 34
In Memory
of
Bette-Jo Simpson Buhler
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Bette-Jo Simpson Buhler, who died
January 9, 2017, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Bette-Jo Simpson was born on May 2, 1921, in
Olympia, Washington, to Blanche Taylor and Jess Ray Simpson; she
graduated from the Annie Wright School in Tacoma and from the
University of Washington; and
WHEREAS, She married the late Frank Sibley Buhler Jr. on
July 7, 1942, and the couple moved to Victoria, Texas, in 1948;
she was blessed with five children, 13 grandchildren, and 17
great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Buhler played a major role in building the
Republican Party in Texas; she was instrumental in helping John
Tower become the first Republican from Texas to be elected a
United States senator, and she was a founding member of the
Associated Republicans of Texas; she served as cochair of the
Texas Republican Party and was named the 2001 Republican of the
Year by the National Republican Congressional Committee; and
WHEREAS, She was also active in a wide range of community
and philanthropic organizations; she was a sustaining member of
the Victoria Junior League, and she helped establish Trinity
Episcopal School and served as chair of the board of the Victoria
Youth Activity Committee; and
WHEREAS, She helped to organize the Gulf Bend Center and
was actively involved with the Victoria Symphony, the Lionel
Hampton International Jazz Festival, and the Texas State
University System Foundation; and
WHEREAS, A woman of courage, strength, and compassion, she
gave unselfishly to others, and her generous spirit, her wise
counsel, and her enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest
will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother,
and she leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by
her family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Bette-Jo Simpson Buhler; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her 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 Bette-Jo Simpson Buhler.
Kolkhorst
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 23, 2017, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate