TITLE: In memory of Sam Houston IV of Katy.

SUMMARY: In memory of Sam Houston IV of Katy.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost an ardent advocate for the study of its history with the passing of Sam Houston IV of Katy on March 10, 2017, at the age of 85; and WHEREAS, The son of Ruth Helen Nilson Houston and Sam Houston III, Sam Houston was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, on September 25, 1931; he completed his bachelor's degree in history at the University of Houston and served his country during the Korean War as an infantry platoon leader in the United States Army; subsequently, he served in the Army Reserve for 16 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel; and WHEREAS, Mr. Houston enjoyed a long career in sales with U.S. Steel, but his passion was early Texas history; the great-grandson of General Sam Houston, he spoke frequently about our state's heritage to schools, civic groups, and other organizations; he was appointed to the Bicentennial Commission of the U.S. Constitution and the Sesquicentennial Commission of the Republic of Texas, and he served as president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and as knight commander of the Knights of San Jacinto; in 2010, he was commissioned as commanding general of the Texas Army; he also appeared in the Emmy Award-winning documentary Sam Houston: American Statesman, Soldier, and Pioneer;and WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Houston received numerous accolades; he was one of nine men to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sons of the Republic over the century-long history of that organization; in 2011, he was presented with the George Washington Award by the Paul Carrington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; and WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. Houston shared a fulfilling marriage with his wife, Virginia Rose Houston; he took great pride in his three children, Vicky, Steven, and Kevin, his three grandchildren, Sherry, Bridgett, and Scott, and seven great-grandchildren, Jessica, Chelsea, Patrick, Mackenzie, Nicole, Sophia, and Dylan; and WHEREAS, Sam Houston helped countless people gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the history of the Lone Star State, and he will be remembered with great admiration and affection by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sam Houston IV and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sam Houston IV. Schofield Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1085 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 6, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House