TITLE: In memory of Billy Philip Arhos.

SUMMARY: In memory of Billy Philip Arhos.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and commemorates the life of Billy Philip Arhos, who died April 11, 2015, at the age of 80; and WHEREAS, Bill Arhos was born on November 3, 1934, in Teague, to Philip and Helen Arhos; he grew up in Bryan, and he graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1953; he attended Rice University on a baseball and basketball scholarship and received a bachelor of science degree; he earned a master of education degree from Texas A&M University in 1960; and WHEREAS, He taught in the Bryan public schools for a time before taking a position in Austin to help establish a Public Broadcasting Service television station, KLRU-TV; over the course of his nearly 40-year career with the station, he served in numerous capacities; he was senior producer, production manager, vice president for programming, general manager, and president; and WHEREAS, In 1974, Mr. Arhos was instrumental in the creation of the music television series Austin City Limits,and he served as its executive producer for more than two decades; the show has now run for 41 years and has received such prestigious honors as the National Medal of Arts, the Peabody Award, and the W. C. Handy Blues Award; he also produced other television music specials and helped produce the Texas Connection,a series which aired for four years on TNN; and WHEREAS, He served on the boards of directors of the Public Broadcasting Service and the Country Music Association, and he received numerous honors, including a Distinguished Alumni Award from Rice University and induction into the inaugural class of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame; upon his retirement, KLRU-TV established an endowment in his name; and WHEREAS, He was a man of courage and vision who was noted for his warmth and charismatic personality; he lived his life to the fullest and was beloved by his family and countless friends; and WHEREAS, He was devoted to his three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and he leaves behind memories that will be cherished forever by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Billy Philip Arhos; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 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 Billy Philip Arhos. Watson President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2015, by a rising vote.