TITLE: In memory of Polly Sowell.

SUMMARY: In memory of Polly Sowell.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the remarkable life of Polly Sowell, who died in January of 2023 at the age of 95; and WHEREAS, Born on November 3, 1927, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Polly Sowell was raised in Houston and earned a bachelor's degree from Sweetbriar College in Virginia before marrying and moving to McAllen; inclined towards activism, Polly served on the library board, presided over the Junior Service League, and founded the Valley Music Festival and the Basic Education Council; and WHEREAS, A proficient administrator and capable leader, Polly quickly rose to prominence in state politics; she was elected to the State Republican Executive Committee in 1960, and in 1972, she was elected vice chairman of the Republican Party of Texas; President Nixon appointed her to the Inter-American Commission for Women, and she represented the United States at the commission's conference in Bogota, Colombia; and WHEREAS, After she moved to Austin in 1979, Polly became the director of the Governor's Office for Volunteer Services and served as deputy chief of staff for Governor Bill Clements; she founded and served as president and executive director of the Texas Women's Alliance, a group of independent conservative women leaders who led trade missions to Spain, Japan, and Switzerland and published reports on the Equal Rights Amendment, economic growth, venture capitalism, higher education, and other current issues; and WHEREAS, A brilliant and elegant woman with exceptional foresight, Polly was sought out by elected leaders at the highest levels for her wise counsel; she was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to serve on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, and she served as appointments manager to Governor George W. Bush and to Governor Rick Perry; in addition to her political pursuits, Polly founded and directed Texas Works Together, a program that trained mentors to help mothers receiving public assistance to further their education and engage in job training; and WHEREAS, Polly remained active in her community and in public service well after her retirement, and she served on the Texas Commission on the Arts throughout a six-year term and served on the Humanities Texas Board; in 2013, Polly relocated from Austin to The Woodlands, near Houston, to be closer to her devoted daughter, Susan; and WHEREAS, Through her outstanding accomplishments and her untiring commitment to helping others, Polly made a positive difference in the lives of innumerable people and helped to pave the way for future generations of women to meet our state's challenges with diplomacy and grace; she leaves an inspiring legacy of service and advocacy, and her memory will be dearly cherished by her loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in her life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Polly Sowell; 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 Polly Sowell. Eckhardt President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 1, 2023, by a rising vote.