SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 750
In Memory
of
Lyda Ann Thomas
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Galveston in mourning the loss of Lyda Ann Thomas,
who died April 19, 2017, at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Lyda Ann Thomas was born November 20, 1936, into
one of Galveston's founding families and civic dynasties; her
grandfather, I. H. Kempner, played an important role in helping
the city recover after the devastating 1900 hurricane and was
instrumental in acquiring the financing needed to build the
seawall and raise the city; and
WHEREAS, She attended the prestigious Hockaday School in
Dallas before going to New York City, where she attended Columbia
University and worked at a number of jobs, including as an
editorial assistant at Harper's Bazaar magazine; she married
Jerry Redmond Thomas in 1958, and the couple raised their four
children in New York City; and
WHEREAS, She returned to Galveston in 1973 and opened
Thomas and Company, which bought and restored historic buildings
and played an important early role in the island's historic
renovation movement; she later opened The Bridge, a halfway house
for young adults with emotional disturbances, before
establishing Galveston Harbor Tours; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Thomas served on the Galveston City Council
for six years before being elected mayor in 2004 with more than 60
percent of the vote; she served three consecutive terms and
became known as the "Hurricane Mayor" for her exceptional
leadership and her composed demeanor during the threat of
Hurricane Rita and the devastation of Hurricane Ike; afterwards,
she worked to institute policies to better prepare the city to
face future disasters, and she traveled the country to share the
lessons she had learned; and
WHEREAS, She received numerous honors and accolades
through the years, including the Galveston Historical
Foundation's Steel Oleander Award and the Spirit of Elissa Award,
and she was named the 2006 Citizen of the Year by the Galveston
County Daily News; she served as president of the Harris and
Eliza Kempner Fund, which provides funding for the arts,
community development, and environmental projects in the
Galveston area; and
WHEREAS, A woman of courage, strength, and compassion, she
gave generously to others, and her wisdom, her commitment to
public service, and her enthusiasm for living each day to the
fullest will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, She was devoted to her children, and she leaves
behind memories that will be treasured forever by her family and
countless 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 Lyda Ann Thomas; 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 Lyda Ann Thomas.
Taylor of Galveston
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 9, 2017, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate