| 1 | 1 | | SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 235 |
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| 2 | 2 | | WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay |
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| 3 | 3 | | tribute to Luther Vernon Francis on the joyous occasion of his |
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| 4 | 4 | | 100th birthday, which is being celebrated on February 25, 2023, |
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| 5 | 5 | | in Prairie View; and |
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| 6 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Born on February 24, 1923, in Paris, Texas, Luther |
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| 7 | 7 | | Vernon Francis is an exemplary citizen and an accomplished |
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| 8 | 8 | | gentleman and scholar; a beloved and respected member of his |
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| 9 | 9 | | Prairie View community, Luther is admired for his many notable |
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| 10 | 10 | | achievements as well as for his charming wit, his impeccable |
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| 11 | 11 | | sense of style, and his generous and gracious spirit; and |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, A gifted and determined individual, Luther |
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| 13 | 13 | | graduated salutatorian of his high school class and went on to |
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| 14 | 14 | | serve in the Civilian Conservation Corps and in the United States |
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| 15 | 15 | | Army, during which time he developed his skill as a land surveyor |
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| 16 | 16 | | and enrolled as a student at Prairie View College; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, After earning his master's degree, Luther was |
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| 18 | 18 | | hired as a professor at Prairie View A&M College and began a long |
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| 19 | 19 | | and rewarding career at the school; he became a highly esteemed |
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| 20 | 20 | | faculty member and a trusted administrator, and he served the |
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| 21 | 21 | | institution in various leadership roles over the years, |
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| 22 | 22 | | including as a department head, facility director, and business |
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| 23 | 23 | | manager; and |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, In addition to serving as an educator, Luther |
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| 25 | 25 | | learned to fly airplanes and obtained a pilot license; his |
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| 26 | 26 | | experience as a land surveyor and his familiarity with the local |
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| 27 | 27 | | terrain were an asset to him during many of his flights, as he |
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| 28 | 28 | | occasionally needed to pilot his plane into landing in the dark |
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| 29 | 29 | | without the benefit of lights; and |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Luther has met both |
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| 31 | 31 | | challenges and opportunities with strength and virtue; he has |
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| 32 | 32 | | been privileged to witness historic events and achievements that |
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| 33 | 33 | | many people only read about in history books, and there is much to |
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| 34 | 34 | | be learned from the wisdom he has gained; a 100th birthday is |
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| 35 | 35 | | truly a milestone deserving of recognition, and it is indeed |
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| 36 | 36 | | fitting that his loved ones gather to express their appreciation |
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| 37 | 37 | | and affection and to celebrate this momentous occasion; now, |
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| 38 | 38 | | therefore, be it |
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| 39 | 39 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th |
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| 40 | 40 | | Legislature, hereby recognize Luther Vernon Francis as a |
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| 41 | 41 | | treasured citizen of the Lone Star State and extend to him |
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| 42 | 42 | | congratulations on his 100th birthday and best wishes for a |
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| 43 | 43 | | memorable birthday celebration; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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| 45 | 45 | | him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
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| 46 | 46 | | West |
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| 47 | 47 | | ________________________________ |
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| 48 | 48 | | President of the Senate |
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| 49 | 49 | | I hereby certify that the |
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| 50 | 50 | | above Resolution was adopted by |
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| 51 | 51 | | the Senate on February 28, 2023. |
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| 52 | 52 | | ________________________________ |
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| 53 | 53 | | Secretary of the Senate |
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| 54 | 54 | | ________________________________ |
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| 55 | 55 | | Member, Texas Senate |
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