SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 355

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay 
tribute to Bob Lanier, the former mayor of Houston, on the grand 
occasion of his 80th birthday; and

	WHEREAS, Born in Baytown on March 10, 1925, Bob Lanier 
attended the University of New Mexico and served in the navy 
during World War II before earning a law degree with highest 
honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 1949; he
had successful careers in law, banking, and real estate prior to 
taking public office; and

	WHEREAS, He served for four years as chairman of the Texas 
Highway Commission and rallied support for the Harris County Toll 
Road Authority; he was chairman of the Houston Metropolitan 
Transit Authority and was an advisor to five Houston mayors; and

	WHEREAS, Bob was first elected Houston mayor in 1991; he 
was reelected in 1993 with 91 percent of the vote; he would go on 
to win a third two-year term and earn a reputation as one of the 
most popular mayors in Houston's history; and

	WHEREAS, Mayor Lanier's many accomplishments for the
City of Houston include adding 655 police officers in his first 
90 days in office, overseeing the rebuilding of neighborhoods, 
chairing the 1996 campaign for voter approval of new baseball and 
football stadiums, improving the city's finances, and 
successfully defending the city's affirmative action program; and

	WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Houston rose from the 
wreckage of the oil bust of the 1980s to develop one of the 
nation's fastest-growing economies and to be one of its most 
demographically diverse cities; and

	WHEREAS, He was named one of the three top Texas mayors of 
the 20th century by Texas Monthly magazine and has been compared 
to such renowned mayors as Richard Daley and Fiorello LaGuardia; 
he has been praised by former President Bill Clinton and by 
President George W. Bush; and

	WHEREAS, Since leaving office, Mayor Lanier has
continued to work diligently on behalf of the City of Houston;
he established the Lanier Public Policy Conferences at the 
University of Houston and participates in various civic, 
academic, and political activities; and

	WHEREAS, He has earned widespread acclaim for his 
outstanding services in Houston and this state; a few of his 
awards include the Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award, the 
Leadership Houston Distinguished Service Award, the National 
Auto Dealers' Award, and the Bond Market Association's 
Distinguished Public Service Award; with his wife, Elyse,
he won two national awards for cleanup, environment, and 
beautification; and

	WHEREAS, Known as a charismatic public leader and a wise 
and devoted family man, Bob Lanier has had a positive and 
enduring impact on the lives of Houstonians and the citizens of 
this state; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby recognize Bob Lanier as a treasured 
citizen of Houston and the Lone Star State and extend best wishes 
to him for a joyful and memorable 80th birthday celebration; and, 
be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
him as a memento of this special day in his life and as an 
expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                        Whitmire




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 9, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate