Bill Text: TX SR422 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of Ruth Cowie Buerkle.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2013-03-11 - Reported enrolled [SR422 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-SR422-Enrolled.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 422
In Memory
of
Ruth Cowie Buerkle
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and pays
tribute to the life of preservationist Ruth Cowie Buerkle, who
died February 18, 2013, at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Born March 3, 1923, Ruth spent her formative years
at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, where her widowed mother had
found work in the officer's club; Ruth's love for the historic
infantry post would later spark her conservation efforts; and
WHEREAS, As a young girl, she lived the life of an officer's
child; she met such military figures as Douglas MacArthur and
Dwight Eisenhower and occasionally stayed overnight with Mamie
Eisenhower when the future president was away; and
WHEREAS, After Ruth graduated from Jefferson High School
in 1940, she attended nursing school and then joined the Army
Nurse Corps, serving as a psychiatric nurse at Fort Polk,
Louisiana; in 1949, she married military officer Bill Buerkle;
the couple moved frequently, and Ruth enthusiastically studied
the language and cultures of the countries in which they were
stationed, which included Japan and Turkey; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, the Buerkle family returned to Fort
Sam Houston; when several historic buildings were threatened
with demolition, Ruth cofounded the Fort Sam Houston Historical
Society; she also created the Fort Sam Houston Museum, and for
her dedication to conservation, she received a commendation from
the Army's Center of Military History; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable activist was beloved by many and
will be long remembered for her extraordinary mind and her
unflagging efforts to save a cherished piece of Texas history;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
bereaved family of Ruth Cowie Buerkle; 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 Ruth Buerkle.
Van de Putte
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 11, 2013, by a
rising vote.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate