TITLE: In memory of Nancy Lee Muse Bass of Fort Worth.

SUMMARY: In memory of Nancy Lee Muse Bass of Fort Worth.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The city of Fort Worth lost one of its most admired citizens with the death of philanthropist Nancy Lee Muse Bass on February 28, 2013; and WHEREAS, Born in Fort Worth on March 7, 1917, the former Nancy Lee Muse was the daughter of Ewell and Roberta Muse; she graduated from Central High School and completed her bachelor's degree in English at The University of Texas at Austin; at a dance in her hometown, she met a Wichita Falls oilman, Perry Bass, and they married in 1941 at the First Methodist Church of Fort Worth; and WHEREAS, Mrs. Bass was the devoted mother of four sons, Sid, Ed, Bob, and Lee, and she eventually knew the joy of welcoming 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren into her cherished family; she and her husband shared a rewarding relationship of 65 years before his passing in 2006; and WHEREAS, Deeply committed to civic life, Mrs. Bass gave generously of her time and talents in myriad leadership roles; she served for three decades as a vice president and a director of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, and she was a member of the boards of numerous local, state, and national organizations, among them the Smithsonian Institution National Council, the Collectors Committee of the National Gallery of Art, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; in addition, she served on the advisory board of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and on The University of Texas at Austin Development Board, and she was a member of the Junior League, the Jewel Charity Ball, and the Fort Worth Garden Club; a woman of faith, she belonged to the First United Methodist Church for many years; and WHEREAS, A tireless benefactor of the arts, education, human services, and health care, Mrs. Bass chose to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary by joining with her husband to give $1 million each to 50 charitable institutions; and WHEREAS, She sought to avoid the limelight, but her leadership and generosity in cultural and civic affairs brought her a host of accolades, including the Distinguished Alumna Award from The University of Texas Ex-Students' Association, the Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club of Fort Worth, and the inaugural Gloria Lupton Tennison Pioneer Award from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame; in 1998, the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall was named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bass at the suggestion of renowned pianist Van Cliburn; and WHEREAS, Nancy Lee Bass was truly the "first lady of Fort Worth," and those who were privileged to know her will forever remember her exceptional kindness, wisdom, and grace; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Nancy Lee Muse Bass and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her sons, Sid Richardson Bass, Edward Perry Bass, Robert Muse Bass, and Lee Marshall Bass; to her 10 grandchildren; to her 7 great-grandchildren; and to her other relatives and many friends; 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 Nancy Lee Muse Bass. Geren Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1127 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 10, 2013. Chief Clerk of the House