88R17411 CW-D
By: Kacal H.C.R. No. 85
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Gus Franklin Mutscher of Brenham, a
former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and Washington
County judge, passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 90;
and
WHEREAS, The son of Gus and Gertrude Mutscher, Gus Mutscher
was born in the William Penn community in Washington County on
November 19, 1932; he graduated from Brenham High School and
attended Blinn College on a baseball scholarship before earning a
bachelor's degree in business administration from The University of
Texas at Austin; as a member of the UT ROTC program, he was
commissioned as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army; he went on to
work in sales and advertising for the Borden Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mutscher was first elected to the Texas House in
1960; a member of numerous committees, he chaired the committees on
Claims and Accounts and Congressional and Legislative Districts,
and he served as vice chair of Land Use and Environmental Control,
Liquor Regulation, and Multiple Use and Pollution of All Waters of
Texas; he was also a member of the Legislative Budget Board and
Texas Legislative Council; in 1969, he was unanimously elected
House Speaker; he favored a strong committee system, promoted
efficiency, and stressed the importance of interim activities; his
priorities throughout his legislative career included air and water
quality, public, higher, and medical education, agricultural
extension services, state highways, and museums of Texas history,
notably the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum and the Star of the
Republic Museum; moreover, he was instrumental in securing passage
of clean beach legislation for Galveston County, and he increased
funding for the Texas Department of Public Safety; he was named a
distinguished alumnus by UT Austin; and
WHEREAS, Following his sixth term, Mr. Mutscher returned to
Brenham, pursuing interests in real estate and the cattle business;
he was appointed as county judge to fill a vacancy in 1976 and
during a tenure that spanned nearly 14 years, he was elected
president of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of
Texas and of the National Association of Regional Councils; a
lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, he served as an officer
and expressed his faith through charitable endeavors; he was a
champion of the Blinn College Foundation and assisted in the
establishment of the Blinn College Alumni & Friends Association and
Hall of Honor; in 2017, he was honored for his role in founding the
Star of the Republic Museum, as well as his efforts in behalf of
Blinn College; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mutscher was devoted above all to his family,
including his two children, Lisa and Gus, and his grandsons,
Matthew, William, Cade, and Drew; he loved spending time with them,
especially watching Texas Longhorn football and baseball games, and
he was always ready to offer encouragement and support; in
addition, he loved working on his ranch, and he often drove to
Irving to see the Dallas Cowboys play; and
WHEREAS, While the death of Gus Mutscher brings great sadness
to his family and friends, his accomplishments will continue to
benefit his community for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Gus Franklin
Mutscher and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his children, Lisa Mikus and her husband, James, and Gus
H. Mutscher and his wife, Amy; to his grandsons, Matthew Mikus and
his wife, Lauren, William Mikus, Cade Mutscher, and Drew Mutscher;
to his sister, Marge Foelber; to his brothers-in-law, Herb Foelber
and Fred Boecker; to his sister-in-law, Joanne Mutscher; and to his
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
former Texas House Speaker Gus Franklin Mutscher.