SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
In Memory
of
Herbert David Kelleher
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Herbert David Kelleher, who died
January 3, 2019, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Herb Kelleher was a treasured Texas citizen with a
larger-than-life personality; he was also a savvy entrepreneur
whose foresight, shrewd business sense, and flair for unique and
engaging marketing strategies helped launch an airline that
revolutionized air travel in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Herb Kelleher was born on March 12, 1931, in
Camden, New Jersey; he graduated from Haddon Heights High School
in Audubon and earned a degree from Wesleyan University, where he
was an Olin Scholar; he earned his law degree from New York
University, and he practiced law on the East Coast for a time
before moving to Texas to establish his own law firm; and
WHEREAS, In 1967, Mr. Kelleher and his client, Rollin King,
created Air Southwest, Incorporated, with the idea of
instituting low-fare airline service within Texas; after a name
change and numerous legal battles, Southwest Airlines began
service on June 18, 1971; Herb served as the company's legal
counsel, and later, as its president, chief executive officer,
and chairman; and
WHEREAS, Due to Herb's vision and leadership, Southwest
Airlines grew from a carrier with only three airplanes to become
one of the largest airlines in the country; by 2008, the airline
operated with a fleet of more than 500 airplanes that completed
more than 3,400 flights each day; between 1972 and 2002, the
company produced the highest return to shareholders of any
company listed in the Standard and Poor's 500 during that
period; and
WHEREAS, Herb Kelleher became the public face of the
airline through his colorful appearances at events and on a
variety of television commercials; he played a major role in
cultivating the company's stimulating and friendly work
environment and was beloved by the airline's employees, and in
1998, Fortune magazine named Southwest Airlines the Best Place to
Work in America; it remains the only airline named to the
magazine's top 10 list of the World's Most Admired Companies; and
WHEREAS, Herb received countless awards over the course of
his career and was inducted into the United States Chamber
Business Leadership Hall of Fame and the National Aviation Hall
of Fame; he stepped down as the airline's president and chief
executive officer in 2001, and he retired as chairman in
2008; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband to his wife of 64 years,
Joan Negley Kelleher, a loving father to his four children,
Michael Kelleher, Ruth Agather, David Kelleher, and the late
Julie Stacey, and a doting grandfather to his nine grandchildren,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by
all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Herbert David Kelleher; 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 Herb Kelleher.
West
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Huffman Perry Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Birdwell Hughes Powell Birdwell Hughes Powell
Birdwell Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Rodríguez Buckingham Johnson Rodríguez
Buckingham Johnson Rodríguez
Campbell Kolkhorst Schwertner Campbell Kolkhorst Schwertner
Campbell Kolkhorst Schwertner
Creighton Lucio Seliger Creighton Lucio Seliger
Creighton Lucio Seliger
Fallon Menéndez Taylor Fallon Menéndez Taylor
Fallon Menéndez Taylor
Flores Miles Watson Flores Miles Watson
Flores Miles Watson
Hall Nelson Whitmire Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini Hancock Nichols Zaffirini
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 16, 2019, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Hinojosa Paxton
Bettencourt Huffman Perry
Birdwell Hughes Powell
Buckingham Johnson Rodríguez
Campbell Kolkhorst Schwertner
Creighton Lucio Seliger
Fallon Menéndez Taylor
Flores Miles Watson
Hall Nelson Whitmire
Hancock Nichols Zaffirini