Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SR711 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 711
2	2	In Memory
3	3	of
4	4	Walter Derrick
5	5	WHEREAS, The citizens of Gladewater are mourning the loss
6	6	of a beloved public servant, friend, and neighbor with the
7	7	passing of former mayor Walter Derrick on April 1, 2019, at the
8	8	age of 88; and
9	9	WHEREAS, Born in Gilmer on April 8, 1930, Walter Derrick
10	10	graduated as valedictorian of Weldon High School in Gladewater;
11	11	he served his country as a member of the United States Army, and
12	12	he later resumed his education and earned bachelor's and master's
13	13	degrees from Texas College in Tyler, in addition to undertaking
14	14	studies at Huston-Tillotson College, Stephen F. Austin State
15	15	University, East Tennessee State College, and The University of
16	16	Texas at Tyler; and
17	17	WHEREAS, Mr. Derrick was hired as a teacher and coach for
18	18	the Gladewater Independent School District, and he led the
19	19	football team of his alma mater, Weldon High, to a 1968 state
20	20	finals berth in the Prairie View Interscholastic League; he
21	21	further distinguished himself by becoming the first African
22	22	American coach hired at Gladewater High School; later, he ran for
23	23	a seat on the Gladewater City Council, where he served for 22
24	24	years and as mayor pro tempore for 15 years; his public service
25	25	career culminated with a four-year term as the city's first
26	26	African American mayor and subsequently ended with his
27	27	retirement from public office in 2012; in recent years, a street
28	28	in the city was named in his honor; and
29	29	WHEREAS, Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in
30	30	Gladewater, Mayor Derrick was instrumental in the creation of
31	31	Bumblebee Park and in a host of other major improvement projects;
32	32	he was also active with the East Texas Council of Governments,
33	33	Gladewater Habitat for Humanity, and myriad other groups, and he
34	34	was involved in distributing as much as $100,000 in scholarships
35	35	to local students through his work on the Gladewater Round-Up
36	36	Rodeo Association Board of Trustees; a man of faith, he served as
37	37	a treasurer and as deacon board chair at Pine Grove Missionary
38	38	Baptist Church in Gilmer; and
39	39	WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mayor Derrick was blessed
40	40	with the love and support of his wife of 63 years, EverGrace
41	41	Derrick, and his children, Lanita Derrick-Smith, Rory Derrick,
42	42	and the late Eduardo Derrick, who preceded his father in death;
43	43	he took special pride in his grandchildren, Derrick, Andree',
44	44	Damien, Dana, Kamryn, Aubry, and Ebony, and great-grandchildren,
45	45	Amillion and Damien; and
46	46	WHEREAS, Walter Derrick cared deeply about his community
47	47	and gave generously of his time and talents to make it a better
48	48	place for all, and though he is greatly missed, his legacy lives
49	49	on in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched; now,
50	50	therefore, be it
51	51	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
52	52	Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Walter Derrick
53	53	and extend sincere sympathy to his relatives and many friends;
54	54	and, be it further
55	55	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
56	56	prepared for his family and that when the Senate adjourns this
57	57	day, it do so in memory of Walter Derrick.
58	58	Hughes
59	59	________________________________
60	60	President of the Senate
61	61	I hereby certify that the
62	62	above Resolution was adopted by
63	63	the Senate on May 8, 2019, by a
64	64	rising vote.
65	65	________________________________
66	66	Secretary of the Senate
67	67	________________________________
68	68	Member, Texas Senate