88R2637 BHH-D
By: Raymond H.C.R. No. 13
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr., former
United States senator and secretary of the Department of the
Treasury, dedicated his life to public service; and
WHEREAS, Born in Mission, Secretary Bentsen graduated from
The University of Texas School of Law and then served his country as
a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945; a recipient of
the Distinguished Flying Cross, he flew 35 missions over Germany,
Romania, and Italy and was shot down twice; he led 600 Allied troops
and guided the operations of 15 bombers, and he attained the rank of
colonel; and
WHEREAS, Secretary Bentsen returned to his hometown after the
war, serving the Rio Grande Valley as Hidalgo County judge until
1948, when he was elected to the first of three terms in the
U.S. House of Representatives; he then enjoyed success in the
private sector before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 1970;
following 22 years in that office, he retired from Congress to
accept President Bill Clinton's nomination as the secretary of the
treasury; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his long and exceptionally
distinguished career in Congress, Secretary Bentsen played a key
role in the passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
the creation of Individual Retirement Accounts, and the enactment
of legislation protecting low-income women and children by
providing easier access to health care; his legacy of achievement
earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor; he was recognized by
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for his
work to support advancements in medical care for stroke victims;
and
WHEREAS, Secretary Bentsen passed away in 2006 at the age of
85 after having made vital contributions to this state and nation,
and his tireless endeavors in behalf of his fellow Americans
deserve lasting respect and appreciation; naming the Texas
Workforce Commission Building in the Capitol Complex in his honor
would provide a most fitting tribute to his outstanding
accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby direct the Texas Facilities Commission to rename the Texas
Workforce Commission Building the Lloyd M. Bentsen State Office
Building; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official
copy of this resolution to the chair and executive director of the
Texas Facilities Commission.