SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 420
In Memory
of
William C. Powers Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of William C. Powers Jr., who died
March 10, 2019, at the age of 72; and
WHEREAS, Bill Powers was an exemplary citizen and a
distinguished scholar, and his admirable leadership at The
University of Texas at Austin had a positive and lasting impact
on its status as a university of the first class; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 30, 1946, Bill Powers grew up in
modest circumstances in Los Angeles, California; he earned a
bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of California,
Berkeley, and he went on to earn a law degree from Harvard
University; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife, Kim Heilbrun, enjoyed 36
years of marriage together; his children, Matt, Kate, Allison,
Annie, and Reid, and his six grandchildren were a source of much
pride and joy for him; and
WHEREAS, After serving the nation in the United States
Navy, he moved to Austin in 1977 to become a visiting professor at
The University of Texas School of Law; he quickly became known
for his legal and philosophical expertise, and the law school
became his intellectual home for more than four decades; he was
named dean of the law school in 2000, and he rose to the position
of university president in 2006; when he stepped down in 2015 to
return to the law school, he was the second-longest-serving
president in the university's history; and
WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the university
revamped its undergraduate curriculum and completed an
eight-year fund-raising campaign that raised $3.1 billion; he
was instrumental in the launch of the Longhorn Network and in
laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Dell Medical
School; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure as president, he was a
fierce advocate on behalf of the school's faculty and students,
and he was an eloquent defender of the study of the humanities, as
well as a strong proponent of scientific and engineering
research; he was an avid fan of Longhorn athletics and was often
seen congratulating players on the sidelines and applauding
their successes; and
WHEREAS, Bill Powers was a man of immense intellect and
wide-ranging esoteric interests, yet he had an ability to relate
to people from all walks of life; he was treasured for both his
affable demeanor and his exceptional achievements in the
academic world, and he was beloved and respected by all who were
privileged to share in his life; and
WHEREAS, He was a deeply devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished
forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of William C. Powers Jr.; 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 Bill Powers.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 18, 2019, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate