SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 502
In Memory
of
Alan Russell Erwin
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Alan Russell Erwin, who died November
12, 2019, at the age of 75; and
WHEREAS, An esteemed member of the Austin community, Alan
Erwin had a rewarding life of service and was a devoted husband,
father, and grandfather; he was a distinguished veteran, an
esteemed journalist and author, a respected statesman, and a
faithful Christian servant; and
WHEREAS, Alan Erwin was born on September 4, 1944, in
Greenville, Texas; he began cultivating his writing skills as a
high school student working as a weekly reporter and columnist
for the Baytown Sun, and he went on to earn a bachelor of arts
degree in communications from The University of Texas at Austin;
he married Gay Taylor in December of 1967, and three weeks later,
he joined the United States Navy; after graduating from Officer
Candidate School in Rhode Island, he was stationed aboard the USS
Lexington to serve as the ship's communications and public
affairs officer; in 1969, he was assigned to serve in Vietnam as
an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy's Swift Boat division; and
WHEREAS, Alan worked as a reporter, editor, and publisher
for such leading newspapers as the Dallas Morning News, the
Houston Chronicle, and the New York Times, and he served as the
capitol correspondent for the Hartman newspaper group; he
accomplished his dream of writing a great American novel in 1984,
when he published The Power Exchange; and
WHEREAS, Alan's political career began with his service as
chief of staff for Congressman Bob Casey from Houston; he served
as an advisor and a speech writer for Governor Dolph Briscoe, and
in 1972, the governor appointed him to the Office of
State-Federal Relations in Washington, D.C.; he was one of the
three commissioners first appointed to the Texas Public Utility
Commission, and after he left state government, he served as
senior vice president and manager of the Houston division of Hill
and Knowlton Public Relations; he then established his own
consulting firm, Erwin and Associates; and
WHEREAS, Alan and Gay shared 51 years of marriage, and they
were longtime members of the Episcopal Church of the Good
Shepherd in Austin; they were blessed with three sons, Andy,
Josh, and Will Erwin, and their seven grandchildren enriched his
life immeasurably; and
WHEREAS, Alan remained committed to the United States Navy
and his fellow veterans throughout his life, and he was proud to
have helped raise $1.5 million in donations to commission the
Vietnam Veterans Monument currently standing on the grounds of
the Texas Capitol; he was a true Texas gentleman and a beloved
member of his community, and he leaves behind memories that will
long be cherished by all who were privileged to share in his life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Alan Russell Erwin; 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 Alan Erwin.
Eckhardt
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 27, 2021, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate