SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 131
In Memory
of
Robert Morin Shoemaker
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of General Robert Morin Shoemaker, who died
June 21, 2017, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Robert Shoemaker was born on February 18, 1924; he
grew up on a farm in rural Michigan, and he graduated with a class
of 23 students at Almont High School in 1941; he joined the United
States Army upon his acceptance to West Point Military Academy,
and he graduated in 1946; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, General Shoemaker was deployed with the
1st Cavalry Division to Vietnam, where he commanded the 1st
Battalion, 12th Cavalry and the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry; he was
later promoted to brigadier general, and in May of 1970, he led
Task Force Shoemaker on the initial United States incursion into
Cambodia; he went on to become the commander of III Corps and Fort
Hood, and in 1977, he was assigned to the position of deputy
commander of United States Army Forces Command in Fort McPherson,
Georgia; after a year of service he was promoted to commander, a
four-star position that only a select few army officers achieve,
and in this role, he supervised approximately one million active,
reserve, and national guard soldiers; and
WHEREAS, After his 1982 retirement from the military,
General Shoemaker became an active community leader; he served
for eight years as an elected county commissioner in Bell County,
and he volunteered for numerous charitable causes and was a
well-known supporter of United Way; he was honored with both
the Frank W. Mayborn Humanitarian Award and the Roy J. Smith
Award for community service, and in 2000, the Killeen Independent
School District named the Robert M. Shoemaker High School in his
honor; and
WHEREAS, General Shoemaker shared nearly 70 years of
marriage with his devoted wife, Mary "Tuke" Shoemaker; he was a
highly respected member of his community who was admired for his
strength, his courage, and his commitment to serving his fellow
citizens; he will long be remembered with great admiration by all
who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences
to the bereaved family of General Robert Morin Shoemaker; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his
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
Robert Shoemaker.
Buckingham
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on August 11, 2017, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate