2023S0198-1 02/23/23
By: Eckhardt S.R. No. 252
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the remarkable life of Polly Sowell, who died in
January of 2023 at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born on November 3, 1927, in Lynchburg, Virginia,
Polly Sowell was raised in Houston and earned a bachelor's degree
from Sweetbriar College in Virginia before marrying and moving to
McAllen; inclined towards activism, Polly served on the library
board, presided over the Junior Service League, and founded the
Valley Music Festival and the Basic Education Council; and
WHEREAS, A proficient administrator and capable leader,
Polly quickly rose to prominence in state politics; she was
elected to the State Republican Executive Committee in 1960, and
in 1972, she was elected vice chairman of the Republican Party of
Texas; President Nixon appointed her to the Inter-American
Commission for Women, and she represented the United States at
the commission's conference in Bogota, Colombia; and
WHEREAS, After she moved to Austin in 1979, Polly became
the director of the Governor's Office for Volunteer Services and
served as deputy chief of staff for Governor Bill Clements; she
founded and served as president and executive director of the
Texas Women's Alliance, a group of independent conservative
women leaders who led trade missions to Spain, Japan, and
Switzerland and published reports on the Equal Rights Amendment,
economic growth, venture capitalism, higher education, and other
current issues; and
WHEREAS, A brilliant and elegant woman with exceptional
foresight, Polly was sought out by elected leaders at the highest
levels for her wise counsel; she was appointed by President
George H. W. Bush to serve on the Defense Advisory Committee on
Women in the Services, and she served as appointments manager to
Governor George W. Bush and to Governor Rick Perry; in addition
to her political pursuits, Polly founded and directed Texas Works
Together, a program that trained mentors to help mothers
receiving public assistance to further their education and
engage in job training; and
WHEREAS, Polly remained active in her community and in
public service well after her retirement, and she served on the
Texas Commission on the Arts throughout a six-year term and
served on the Humanities Texas Board; in 2013, Polly relocated
from Austin to The Woodlands, near Houston, to be closer to her
devoted daughter, Susan; and
WHEREAS, Through her outstanding accomplishments and her
untiring commitment to helping others, Polly made a positive
difference in the lives of innumerable people and helped to pave
the way for future generations of women to meet our state's
challenges with diplomacy and grace; she leaves an inspiring
legacy of service and advocacy, and her memory will be dearly
cherished by her loved ones and by all who were privileged to
share in her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Polly Sowell; 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 Polly Sowell.