Bill Text: TX HR88 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 2nd Special Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: In memory of Ada Cecilia Collins Anderson of Austin.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-09-08 - Reported enrolled [HR88 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HR88-Introduced.html

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87S21002 CJM-D
By: Cole H.R. No. 88

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Residents of Austin lost an admired philanthropist,
arts advocate, and civil rights activist with the death of Ada
Cecilia Collins Anderson on June 2, 2021, at the age of 99; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Walter and Cecilia Collins, the
former Ada Collins was born in Pilot Knob on October 2, 1921, and
grew up as the fourth of nine children; she attended Pilot Knob
Elementary School, founded by her paternal grandfather, and went on
to graduate from L. C. Anderson High School in Austin; after
receiving her bachelor's degree in home economics from
Huston-Tillotson University, she became the first African American
to enroll in The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of
Library Science, and although she completed her coursework, the
segregated Texas State Library refused to give her a field
placement, and she was denied her diploma; she was employed as a
counselor by the Texas Employment Commission and strove to improve
pay and conditions for African American domestic workers; later,
she taught in the Austin Independent School District, earned a
master's degree in educational psychology, and became a
psychometrist; in addition, she was a partner in Anderson Wormley
Real Estate and Insurance Company, established by her husband,
Marcellus J. "Andy" Anderson, with her assistance; and
WHEREAS, The Andersons married during World War II and became
the parents of two treasured children, Sandra and Marcellus,
nicknamed "Jack"; benefiting youth of color, Mrs. Anderson helped
found the Austin chapter of Jack and Jill of America, and she served
the organization in such offices as regional director and national
corresponding secretary; she organized a successful boycott of a
Whites-only skating rink in East Austin and then formed the Austin
Human Relations Commission, a coalition of pastors, professors, and
others determined to end segregation; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Mrs. Anderson became the first African
American to win a countywide election in the Texas capital when she
joined the board of Austin Community College; committed to
education and the arts, she organized and directed the Leadership
Enrichment Arts Program for underserved youngsters; she co-chaired
the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for the Austin Independent
School District and served on the board of Laguna Gloria Art Museum;
at the behest of her friend, Lady Bird Johnson, she facilitated two
exhibitions of African American art at the LBJ Library and Museum;
she was also a founding member of the Austin Lyric Opera and served
on gubernatorial commissions; breaking yet another barrier, she
became the first African American woman to sit on a bank board in
Austin; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to their community, the Andersons helped
provide affordable housing for African Americans; they were active
in the Democratic Party at the local, state, and national levels and
became personal friends of Governor John Connally and President
Lyndon Baines Johnson; Mrs. Anderson coordinated voter
registration and mobilization drives that got thousands across
Texas to the polls; in addition, the Andersons were both involved in
Masonry and a host of civic issues; the couple shared a fulfilling
relationship of 61 years before Mr. Anderson's passing;
Mrs. Anderson was also preceded in death by both her children; in
memory of her daughter, she donated $3 million to Huston-Tillotson
University, the largest gift in its history, for the Sandra Joy
Anderson Community Health and Wellness Center; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Anderson was the recipient of myriad
accolades, including an honorary doctorate from Huston-Tillotson
and the Community Legacy Award and Distinguished Alumnus Award from
UT; moreover, UT's Briscoe Center holds a collection of her and her
husband's papers; she was inducted into both the African American
Women's Hall of Fame and the Texas Black Women's Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Through her trailblazing achievements and numerous
civic contributions, Ada Anderson made a lasting, positive
difference in her community, and her legacy will continue to
resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Ada Cecilia Collins Anderson and extend sincere condolences to all
who mourn her passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ada Cecilia
Collins Anderson.