S.C.R. No. 83 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased and 1-2 proud to recognize the Honorable Preston Smith, former Governor of 1-3 the State of Texas, on the joyous occasion of his 83rd birthday; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born March 8, 1912, on a tenant farm in Williamson 1-6 County, he began his education at a one-room Mount Prospect school; 1-7 young Preston's family moved to a Dawson County farm in 1923; 1-8 determined to get an education, he worked his way through Lamesa 1-9 High School in a variety of jobs; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Dedicated and hardworking, he earned the money to 1-11 pay his expenses for Texas Tech University by picking cotton, 1-12 operating a service station, cleaning windows, and running student 1-13 rooming houses; and 1-14 WHEREAS, Preston Smith met his bride-to-be, Ima Smith of 1-15 Ralls, in economics class, where the students were seated in 1-16 alphabetical order; they were married on June 20, 1935; a true 1-17 helpmate, Ima created a warm and loving home for her husband and 1-18 their two children, Mickey and Jan; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Innovative and industrious, he entered the theater 1-20 business with a friend in 1936 and by 1944, the self-made man owned 1-21 several theaters; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Devoted to public service and armed with a desire to 1-23 give back to the community that had nurtured him, Preston Smith 2-1 served in the 49th, 50th, and 51st legislatures as the 2-2 representative from Lubbock; he was also becoming very active in 2-3 real estate and ranching; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In 1956, Preston Smith was elected to the Texas 2-5 Senate, where he ably represented West Texas; he continued to 2-6 represent that area throughout the 55th, 56th, and 57th 2-7 legislatures; and 2-8 WHEREAS, During the 1962 elections, he defeated his opponent 2-9 in a runoff and became lieutenant governor; he served brilliantly 2-10 as lieutenant governor during the 58th, 59th, and 60th 2-11 legislatures; and 2-12 WHEREAS, A renowned and highly respected public figure, he 2-13 was the first lieutenant governor since before the Civil War to 2-14 move directly to the office of governor; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In 1968, he captured the office of governor; he was 2-16 so popular in this office that in 1970, he became the first Texan 2-17 in history to run for governor without an opponent at the 2-18 Democratic Nominating Convention; and 2-19 WHEREAS, Governor Smith served his state with an 2-20 indefatigable zest for public service, emulating his heroes, Lyndon 2-21 B. Johnson and Allan Shivers; and 2-22 WHEREAS, After he left the office of governor and a 2-23 superlative career of 22 years of public service, he did not shirk 2-24 from further civic responsibility; in 1981, he was appointed to the 2-25 Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System, so he 3-1 could further serve the citizens of Texas and stress his dedication 3-2 to educational excellence; and 3-3 WHEREAS, In a fitting tribute to their commitment to 3-4 education, Ima and Preston Smith have been honored as Distinguished 3-5 Alumni of Texas Tech University; and 3-6 WHEREAS, A man of integrity and compassion, he is beloved by 3-7 his family, friends, business colleagues, and state; his deep love 3-8 of Texas and his fellow citizens has immeasurably benefitted the 3-9 Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 3-11 hereby extend heartiest congratulations to the Honorable Preston 3-12 Smith on his 83rd birthday and offer best wishes to him for many 3-13 more birthdays to come; and, be it further 3-14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for him 3-15 as an expression of the highest regard of the Texas Legislature.