S.C.R. No. 17

	SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The city of Houston lost a galvanizing leader with
	the passing of former mayor Bob Lanier on December 20, 2014, at the
	age of 89; and
	WHEREAS, Born to Jesse and Sally Lanier on March 10, 1925,
	Robert Clayton Lanier grew up in Baytown and served as a naval
	officer during World War II; he attended the University of New
	Mexico and subsequently earned a law degree from The University of
	Texas at Austin; though he enjoyed successful careers in law,
	banking, and real estate, he ultimately found himself drawn to
	politics and public service; he chaired the Texas Highway
	Commission from 1983 to 1987 and then led Houston's Metropolitan
	Transit Authority for a year; and
	WHEREAS, First elected mayor in 1991, Mr. Lanier was
	reelected by an overwhelming majority in 1993 and again in 1995;
	although the city's adoption of term limits precluded a fourth run
	for the office, his fierce intelligence, deep knowledge of public
	policy, and skillful coalition-building allowed him to effect
	far-reaching changes over the course of his six-year tenure; he
	fulfilled a campaign promise to increase police patrols and reduce
	crime, and he made great strides in revitalizing the downtown area
	and improving infrastructure in disadvantaged neighborhoods;
	moreover, he was an unyielding champion of ethnic diversity, and
	toward the end of his final term, he led a successful campaign to
	save the city's affirmative action program for minority business
	owners; and
	WHEREAS, After leaving office, Mr. Lanier remained a force in
	Houston politics and civic affairs; he hosted fund-raisers,
	supported charities, and founded the Lanier Public Policy
	Conference at the University of Houston; and
	WHEREAS, Frequently recognized for his outstanding service
	to Houston and to the State of Texas, Mr. Lanier received such
	prestigious accolades as the Hubert Humphrey Civil Rights Award and
	the Ben Taub Humanitarian Award; he was praised by former
	presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and Texas Monthly
	magazine named him one of the top three Texas mayors of the 20th
	century; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Lanier married Elizabeth Grant in 1954, and the
	couple became the proud parents of five children; after being
	widowed, Mr. Lanier exchanged wedding vows in 1984 with Elyse Bauer
	and welcomed into his heart and home her two children; and
	WHEREAS, A man of tremendous energy and ability, Bob Lanier
	helped shape the destiny of a great American city through his
	determination to enhance the quality of life for all its residents,
	and his enormous contributions as a public servant and civic leader
	will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
	hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Bob Lanier and
	extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
	Elyse Lanier; to his children, Robert Clayton Lanier Jr. and his
	wife, Donna, John Frederic Lanier, Elizabeth Lanier Campbell, Susan
	Holly Lanier, Scott Augustus Lanier, Courtney Lanier Sarofim and
	her husband, Christopher, and Kevin Scott Robins and his wife,
	Sara; to his grandchildren, Robert Clayton Lanier III, Carlton
	Thomas Lanier, Brent Lanier Campbell, Judith Ann Lanier, Mary
	Jessica Lanier, Robert Mitchell Lanier, Gillian Stude Sarofim,
	Louisa Lanier Sarofim, Fayez Shalaby Sarofim II, Eva Elyse Robins,
	and Rhett Ezekiel Robins; and to his other relatives and many
	friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
	Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
	Bob Lanier.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 17 was adopted by the Senate
	on February 24, 2015.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 17 was adopted by the House
	on April 29, 2015.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor