Bill Text: TX HCR85 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of Gus Franklin Mutscher, former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-05 - Signed by the Governor [HCR85 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HCR85-Enrolled.html

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H.C.R. No. 85

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Gus Franklin Mutscher of Brenham, a
former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and Washington
County judge, passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 90;
and
WHEREAS, The son of Gus and Gertrude Mutscher, Gus Mutscher
was born in the William Penn community in Washington County on
November 19, 1932; he graduated from Brenham High School and
attended Blinn College on a baseball scholarship before earning a
bachelor's degree in business administration from The University of
Texas at Austin; as a member of the UT ROTC program, he was
commissioned as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army; he went on to
work in sales and advertising for the Borden Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mutscher was first elected to the Texas House in
1960; a member of numerous committees, he chaired the committees on
Claims and Accounts and Congressional and Legislative Districts,
and he served as vice chair of Land Use and Environmental Control,
Liquor Regulation, and Multiple Use and Pollution of All Waters of
Texas; he was also a member of the Legislative Budget Board and
Texas Legislative Council; in 1969, he was unanimously elected
House Speaker; he favored a strong committee system, promoted
efficiency, and stressed the importance of interim activities; his
priorities throughout his legislative career included air and water
quality, public, higher, and medical education, agricultural
extension services, state highways, and museums of Texas history,
notably the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum and the Star of the
Republic Museum; moreover, he was instrumental in securing passage
of clean beach legislation for Galveston County, and he increased
funding for the Texas Department of Public Safety; he was named a
distinguished alumnus by UT Austin; and
WHEREAS, Following his sixth term, Mr. Mutscher returned to
Brenham, pursuing interests in real estate and the cattle business;
he was appointed as county judge to fill a vacancy in 1976 and
during a tenure that spanned nearly 14 years, he was elected
president of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of
Texas and of the National Association of Regional Councils; a
lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, he served as an officer
and expressed his faith through charitable endeavors; he was a
champion of the Blinn College Foundation and assisted in the
establishment of the Blinn College Alumni & Friends Association and
Hall of Honor; in 2017, he was honored for his role in founding the
Star of the Republic Museum, as well as his efforts in behalf of
Blinn College; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mutscher was devoted above all to his family,
including his two children, Lisa and Gus, and his grandsons,
Matthew, William, Cade, and Drew; he loved spending time with them,
especially watching Texas Longhorn football and baseball games, and
he was always ready to offer encouragement and support; in
addition, he loved working on his ranch, and he often drove to
Irving to see the Dallas Cowboys play; and
WHEREAS, While the death of Gus Mutscher brings great sadness
to his family and friends, his accomplishments will continue to
benefit his community for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Gus Franklin
Mutscher and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his children, Lisa Mikus and her husband, James, and Gus
H. Mutscher and his wife, Amy; to his grandsons, Matthew Mikus and
his wife, Lauren, William Mikus, Cade Mutscher, and Drew Mutscher;
to his sister, Marge Foelber; to his brothers-in-law, Herb Foelber
and Fred Boecker; to his sister-in-law, Joanne Mutscher; and to his
other relatives and 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
former Texas House Speaker Gus Franklin Mutscher.
Kacal
Phelan Guerra Murr
Allen Guillen Neave Criado
Allison Harless Noble
Anchía Harris of Anderson Oliverson
Anderson Harris of Williamson Ordaz
Ashby Harrison Orr
Bailes Hayes Ortega
Bell of Kaufman Hefner Patterson
Bell of Montgomery Hernandez Paul
Bernal Herrero Perez
Bhojani Hinojosa Plesa
Bonnen Holland Price
Bowers Howard Ramos
Bryant Hull Raney
Buckley Hunter Raymond
Bucy Isaac Reynolds
Bumgarner Jetton Rogers
Burns Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
Burrows A. Johnson of Harris Rose
Button J. Johnson of Harris Rosenthal
Cain Jones of Dallas Schaefer
Campos Jones of Harris Schatzline
Canales Kacal Schofield
Capriglione King of Hemphill Shaheen
Clardy King of Uvalde Sherman, Sr.
Cole Kitzman Shine
Collier Klick Slaton
Cook Kuempel Slawson
Cortez Lalani Smith
Craddick Lambert Smithee
Cunningham Landgraf Spiller
Darby Leach Stucky
Davis Leo-Wilson Swanson
Dean Longoria Talarico
DeAyala Lopez of Bexar Tepper
Dorazio Lopez of Cameron Thierry
Dutton Lozano Thimesch
Flores Lujan Thompson of Brazoria
Frank Manuel Thompson of Harris
Frazier Martinez Tinderholt
Gamez Martinez Fischer Toth
Garcia Metcalf Troxclair
Gates Meyer Turner
Gerdes Meza VanDeaver
Geren Moody Vasut
Gervin-Hawkins Morales of Harris Vo
Goldman Morales of Maverick Walle
González of Dallas Morales Shaw Wilson
González of El Paso Morrison Wu
Goodwin Muñoz, Jr. Zwiener
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 85 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on April 19, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 85 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the Senate on April 19, 2023.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor