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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 555
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Barbara Ann Kazen
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
  citizens of Laredo in mourning the loss of noted philanthropist
  and civic leader Barbara Ann Kazen, who died March 15, 2011, at
  the age of 70; and
         WHEREAS, She was born Barbara Ann Sanders in Abilene on
  January 3, 1941; she attended Texas Christian University and The
  University of Texas at Austin, where she met her future husband,
  George P. Kazen; they were married in Abilene on October 27,
  1961; and
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Kazen was a highly respected citizen and
  longtime leader in the Laredo community; she was renowned for her
  impeccable character, her passion for helping others, and her
  dedication to humanitarian work; she focused much of her time on
  working to improve public health, beginning in the 1960s when she
  first joined the American Cancer Society and coordinated
  campaigns to spread information and raise funds for cancer
  research; and
         WHEREAS, She served in various roles as an auxiliary member
  of Mercy Regional Medical Center, now known as Laredo Medical
  Center; she coordinated the DARE program and served as its vice
  president and president; her work helped the hospital provide
  health care services for victims of domestic violence, persons
  addicted to drugs, and those who suffer from catastrophic
  illnesses; and
         WHEREAS, Mrs. Kazen had a long history of working to
  improve the conditions of the poor and otherwise disadvantaged;
  she served on the board of directors of the Texas Homeless
  Network and was a founding member and vice president of the
  Laredo Homeless Coalition; and
         WHEREAS, She was the founder of Bethany House of Laredo and
  served on its board of directors for more than 25 years and as its
  president since 1996; she worked tirelessly to expand its
  services to include an extensive soup kitchen operation, a
  shelter complex with a central clearinghouse for homeless and
  indigent services, and a store for clothing, linens, and
  furniture; and
         WHEREAS, She served on the board of directors of the United
  Way of Laredo and gave generously of her time and resources to
  improve the arts community; she was a lector and Eucharistic
  minister at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church; and
         WHEREAS, One of her more recent philanthropic efforts was
  the founding of the Laredo Area Community Foundation, on whose
  board she also served; the foundation acts as a catalyst in
  developing a permanent endowment to enable effective responses
  to community needs and to help coordinate the efforts of
  charitable organizations; and
         WHEREAS, Barbara Kazen was a member of the Society of
  Martha Washington and portrayed Martha Washington in 1989 at the
  organization's 50th anniversary celebration; she has received
  numerous awards over the years for her outstanding service to her
  community; and
         WHEREAS, She received many honors over the course of her
  life; she was named Woman of the Year by the Catholic War Veterans
  and Tejano Achiever by the League of United Latin American
  Citizens; she received the Service Above Self Award from the
  Laredo Rotary Club and was named to the Laredo Commission for
  Women's Hall of Fame; she was selected the 2010 Outstanding Texas
  Local Leader by the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute
  Annual Forum; and
         WHEREAS, Barbara Kazen was a gracious and generous woman
  who has left an indelible imprint in the Laredo community, and
  she will long be remembered by the scores of people whose lives
  she touched; her many friends and her devoted family will
  treasure forever their memories of the beloved wife, devoted
  mother, and loving grandmother who blessed their lives; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Barbara Ann Kazen: her husband, United States District
  Court Judge George P. Kazen; her sons and daughters-in-law,
  George and Mary Kazen, John and Hayley Kazen, and Gregory and
  Marcinda Kazen; her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and
  Michael Flores; her brother, James Lee Sanders; her sisters,
  Judith Compton and Virginia "Bitsy" Dotin; and her nine
  grandchildren; 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 Barbara Ann Kazen.
 
  Zaffirini
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 17, 2011, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate