TITLE: In memory of William Cunningham of San Marcos.

SUMMARY: In memory of William Cunningham of San Marcos.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The family and friends of William Cunningham of San Marcos suffered an immeasurable loss with his death on April 19, 2018, at the age of 69; and WHEREAS, Bill Cunningham was born in Cuero on March 19, 1949, to Ellen and Bill Cunningham Sr., and he grew up with a sister, Kaye; raised in San Antonio, he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1967 and studied journalism at Southwest Texas State University, where he was managing editor of the student paper until he was fired for his outspoken articles against the Vietnam War; in 1972, while still in college, he became the first student and the youngest person ever elected to the San Marcos City Council; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his life as a writer and activist, Mr. Cunningham worked in the press department for Jimmy Carter's 1976 presidential campaign and as a legislative aide to U.S. Representative J. J. Pickle, and he was appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the Texas State University System Board of Regents, which he served as chair; he also operated a successful public relations business and helped to found the Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum of San Marcos, where he was a board member and director; until the end of his life, he remained active in public affairs in San Marcos, serving on the city's Main Street and Library Boards; and WHEREAS, Mr. Cunningham was an avid reader and book collector, and he edited a Texas crime fiction anthology, Lone Star Sleuths,for the Southwestern Writers Collection Book Series; known as "Billy" or "Wild Bill" to his friends, he was a colorful figure around town, frequenting coffee shops in his trademark fedora and sunglasses and delighting his many admirers with his sharp intellect and his keen satirical wit; he was a devoted husband to his wife, Nevin, with whom he shared 33 rewarding years of marriage, and a loving father to their son, Andrew; and WHEREAS, An engaged citizen and an "icon of cool" in his beloved San Marcos, Bill Cunningham lived a life that was rich in personal and professional achievements, and memories of time spent in his company remain to comfort those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William Cunningham and extend heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and many friends; 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 William Cunningham. Zwiener Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1435 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 10, 2019. Chief Clerk of the House