By: Zaffirini S.R. No. 493
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Philanthropists Joe R. Long and his late wife,
Dr. Teresa Lozano Long, have greatly benefited Texans through
their wide-ranging professional and civic contributions; and
WHEREAS, An army veteran and graduate of The University of
Texas at Austin School of Law, Mr. Long initially distinguished
himself in state government; he served as chief of the State
Securities Board Enforcement Division and the Bond, Insurance,
and Banking Division of the Office of the Attorney General before
embarking on a noteworthy career in banking, savings and loan,
and securities law; part of a group that organized two Austin
banks, he ultimately became chair and principal owner; he
expanded his holdings and served from 1989 to 1998 as chair and
CEO of First State Bank, with nearly 50 branches across Texas;
after it was sold to Norwest Corporation, now Wells Fargo
Corporation, he consulted for the company until 2000, when he
focused his attention on his private business interests and many
philanthropic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Long and Dr. Long shared a deep commitment to
higher education and gave $100 million or more to UT Austin, UT
Health San Antonio, and UT Rio Grande Valley; they created a
major endowment for the UT Austin Institute of Latin American
Studies, now named after Dr. Long; the medical school and campus
at UT Health San Antonio bear their names as well, acknowledging
a transformational donation; benefiting UT Law, they founded the
Long Career Launch program to help recent graduates and also
endowed scholarships and a faculty chair in administrative law;
Mr. Long is a trustee of the UT Law School Foundation and
received the Law School's Honorary Order of the Coif Award, and
he has further served as a member of the Chancellor's Council and
the UT Development Board; in 2018, the Longs were recognized with
the UT System Regents' highest honor, the Santa Rita Award; and
Mr. Long and Dr. Long also received UT's Distinguished Alumnus
Award and the Presidential Citation,; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the Longs provided a lead gift of $20
million for the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the
Performing Arts in Austin; Mr. Long has given generously of his
expertise as president of the Austin Symphony Orchestra Society
and as a member of the Arts Center Stage board; in 2005, he and
Dr. Long were awarded the Texas Medal of Arts; their many joint
accolades also include the Ohtli Award from the Consulate General
of Mexico in Austin; additionally, Mr. Long has served on the
boards of the Headliners Club, the Seton Fund, and Caritas of
Austin; and
WHEREAS, Joe and Terry Long have made a lasting, positive
difference in the lives of many Texans through their support for
education, the arts, and countless other worthy causes, and their
sterling example of civic leadership is a source of inspiration
to all;
WHEREAS, theirs is a lifelong love story that culminated
in their sharing that love with the people and especially the
children and future teachers, doctors, and other professionals
and leaders of Texas; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby honor Joe R. and Dr. Teresa Lozano Long for their
exceptional contributions and extend to him sincere best wishes
for continued happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Long as an expression of high regard by the
Texas Senate.