Bill Text: TX HR1318 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of former Texas AFL-CIO president Henry S. "Hank" Brown of San Antonio.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-15 - Reported enrolled [HR1318 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR1318-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 1318 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Henry S. Brown of San Antonio, a legendary figure in | ||
| the Texas labor movement, passed away on January 21, 2015, at the | ||
| age of 94, after a lifetime of distinguished achievement in behalf | ||
| of his fellow man; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born on October 24, 1920, to Stan and Sophia Brown of | ||
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, "Hank" Brown fought for the values in | ||
| which he believed from an early age, leaving home to serve his | ||
| country as a member of the U.S. Army; he subsequently moved to San | ||
| Antonio, where he first became involved in a union as a plumber's | ||
| helper and then business agent with Local 142; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Driven by a concern for all working men and women, | ||
| Mr. Brown went on to join the Texas AFL-CIO and was named the | ||
| organization's president in 1961; a masterful orator and fierce | ||
| negotiator, he advocated for civil rights, helped craft an | ||
| important worker's compensation law for Texas, established the | ||
| Women's Activities Department, and created the United Labor | ||
| Legislative Committee; during his decade-long tenure as AFL-CIO | ||
| president, he also served on boards as an appointee of Presidents | ||
| John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson; and | ||
| WHEREAS, He left his position with the AFL-CIO to become the | ||
| vice president of public relations for the American Income Life | ||
| Insurance Company, but he remained extraordinarily active in labor | ||
| relations well into his nineties, promoting retiree councils, | ||
| inspiring others with his moving speeches, and participating in | ||
| AFL-CIO conventions; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Brown enjoyed the love | ||
| and support of his wife, the former Sophie Wegmann, with whom he | ||
| shared a rewarding marriage that spanned 70 years; the couple were | ||
| the proud parents of two sons, Henry and Gerald, and a daughter, | ||
| Sophie; and | ||
| WHEREAS, An unswerving leader, Hank Brown worked tirelessly | ||
| throughout his life to advance the cause of the Texas AFL-CIO and | ||
| the labor movement, and his contributions to aid working families | ||
| will continue to benefit residents of the Lone Star State for many | ||
| years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Hank Brown and | ||
| extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his sons, | ||
| Henry Brown Jr. and his wife, Judy, and Gerald Brown and his wife, | ||
| Merrilou; to his daughter, Sophie McCoy, and her husband, James; to | ||
| his brother, Ray Brown; to his 10 grandchildren and 15 | ||
| great-grandchildren; to his nieces and nephews; 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Henry S. | ||
| Brown. | ||
| Martinez Fischer | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1318 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
| rising vote of the House on April 9, 2015. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
