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.