SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 76
In Memory
of
Frances Tarlton "Sissy" Farenthold
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Frances Tarlton "Sissy" Farenthold, who
died September 26, 2021, at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, A legendary activist, educator, and leader for
social justice, Sissy Farenthold was born in Corpus Christi on
October 2, 1926; she attended Corpus Christi High School and
graduated from The Hockaday School; she went on to earn a degree
from Vassar College at the age of 19 and a degree from The
University of Texas School of Law at the age of 22; and
WHEREAS, Sissy began a long career in public service and
civil rights advocacy by accepting a number of appointments to
various humanitarian service organizations and commissions; she
served as director of Nueces County Legal Aid, and in 1968, she
was elected as the only woman to serve in the Texas House of
Representatives; she gained widespread support for her
sponsorship of the Texas Equal Rights Amendment and for her
tireless pursuit of justice during the investigation of the
Sharpstown Scandal; and
WHEREAS, Sissy gained national recognition when she was
tapped as a potential vice presidential running mate for George
McGovern at the 1972 Democratic National Convention and was the
first woman whose nomination for the position was brought to a
floor vote; she continued a path of trailblazing leadership in
her roles as the first chair of the National Women's Political
Caucus and as the first woman president of Wells College; she
served as a professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and
she taught one of the nation's first classes on sex-based
discrimination as a professor at the University of Houston; and
WHEREAS, An esteemed figure in international activism,
Sissy was a member of the Helsinki Watch Committee Board of
Directors, and she helped lead protests against nuclear
proliferation and against apartheid in South Africa; she played a
key role in the Third United Nations Conference for Women, and
she participated in peace-keeping missions throughout Central
America, Asia, and the Middle East; and
WHEREAS, Sissy gave generously of her time and resources to
charitable and cultural organizations; the Frances Tarlton
"Sissy" Farenthold Endowed Lecture Series in Peace, Social
Justice, and Human Rights is presented each year by the Rapoport
Center and the Rothko Chapel to honor and reflect on her 60 years
of activism and humanitarian service; and
WHEREAS, Sissy married George Edward Farenthold in 1950,
and they were blessed with five children; her three grandchildren
and three great-grandchildren were a source of pride and joy for
her; and
WHEREAS, A truly beloved Texan, Sissy Farenthold was a
tireless voice for the vulnerable and underserved, and she was a
source of strength to others through her compassion and her work
to bring about equal justice for all; she leaves behind a legacy
of service that will continue to inspire citizens long into the
future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of Frances Tarlton
Farenthold; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her 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 Sissy Farenthold.
Hinojosa, Whitmire
Alvarado Johnson Miles Alvarado Johnson Miles
Alvarado Johnson Miles
Blanco Lucio Powell Blanco Lucio Powell
Blanco Lucio Powell
Eckhardt Menéndez West Eckhardt Menéndez West
Eckhardt Menéndez West
Gutierrez Zaffirini Gutierrez Zaffirini
Gutierrez Zaffirini
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on October 14, 2021, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Johnson Miles
Blanco Lucio Powell
Eckhardt Menéndez West
Gutierrez Zaffirini