TITLE: In memory of John Matthew Bird of San Antonio.

SUMMARY: In memory of John Matthew Bird of San Antonio.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of San Antonio in mourning the loss of John Matthew Bird, who died March 29, 2011, at the age of 89; and WHEREAS, John Bird became a motion picture projectionist in San Antonio after he returned from serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and he worked for many years in various theaters around San Antonio; he was an active member of the International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local Union 407 and served as president of the local union in the 1970s; and WHEREAS, He was born in San Antonio on November 20, 1921, to Harry Matthew Bird and Francis Schumake Bird; his parents were divorced during the Depression, and his mother later married Charles Breuning, whom John greatly admired and respected; his stepfather introduced him to Local Union 407 and later helped him become a motion picture projectionist; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Brackenridge High School in 1939, Mr. Bird attended a school where he learned the basics of working on airplane engines and took a job at Kelly Field; after the United States became involved in World War II, Mr. Bird joined the United States Navy and was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Kingsville; and WHEREAS, Mr. Bird spent most of his time during the war working on aircraft engines; he also trained young men learning to be pilots how to use their parachutes properly; he realized his effectiveness years later when he was stationed in Santa Ana, California, and a former student and sailor told him that his instructions had saved his life when he had been forced to bail out of his airplane; and WHEREAS, After his military service, Mr. Bird returned to San Antonio and began his career as a movie theater projectionist; he met his future wife, Leah Vivian Hall, through a church group; they were married in 1954, and their son, Joel Wendell Bird, was born in 1955; after retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Bird served concurrent terms as first and second readers in their local Christian Science Church; they had been married almost 50 years when Mrs. Bird died in 2004; Mr. Bird remained an active member of the Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, in San Antonio; and WHEREAS, John Bird was a highly regarded resident of San Antonio, and he will be deeply missed by his family and by all those who had the good fortune of knowing him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of John Matthew Bird and extend sincere condolences to his bereaved family; 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 John Matthew Bird. Wentworth President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 19, 2011, by a rising vote.