HR18 - In memory of Dr. Charles Eugene Urdy of Austin.

      H.R. No. 18       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Dr. Charles Eugene Urdy of Austin, an esteemed   chemist, professor, and civic leader, passed away on October 16,   2024, at the age of 90; and          WHEREAS, The son of William Braxton Urdy and Roberta Pearl   Jackson Urdy, Charles Urdy was born in Georgetown on December 27,   1933, and he grew up with the companionship of 12 siblings; he   graduated from the old L. C. Anderson High School in Austin in 1950,   and he received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Samuel Huston   College in 1954; answering his nation's call to duty, he joined the   U.S. Army Chemical Corps, and he served in the Korean War; in 1962,   he obtained a doctorate in physical analytical chemistry from The   University of Texas at Austin; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Urdy served as a chemistry professor at North   Carolina College at Durham, Prairie View A&M University, and Texas   Southern University before enjoying a rewarding tenure at   Huston-Tillotson University that spanned more than two decades;   along the way, he was employed as a research chemist at Dow Chemical   in Freeport and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;   he went on to accept a position as manager of environmental science   and technical development at the Lower Colorado River Authority,   where he worked until his retirement in 1994; and          WHEREAS, First elected to the Austin City Council in 1981,   Dr. Urdy represented Place 6 for four terms, and he was named mayor   pro tem; he further distinguished himself as the first African   American man to serve as chair of the Austin housing authority   board, a post he held for 21 years; moreover, he chaired the Travis   County Juvenile Board citizens' advisory committee and the Black   Voters Action Project, and he was a longtime board chair of the   Austin Revitalization Authority, which named a public plaza in his   honor; he was also a member of the Austin Charter Revision Committee   and the Austin Tomorrow Goals Assembly; among his many   achievements, he was named the Outstanding Educator of America in   1975, and he received a community service award from the NAACP in   1971; and          WHEREAS, Dr. Urdy shared a rewarding marriage with his wife,   Margaret, that spanned more than five decades before her passing in   2013, and he took great pride in his three sons, Keith and Steven   Urdy, who preceded their father in death, and Christopher; over the   years, he had the pleasure of welcoming into his family many   grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and          WHEREAS, Charles Urdy gave freely of his time and expertise   to better his community, and he leaves behind a record of service   that his loved ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Charles Eugene   Urdy and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Charles   Urdy.     Cole     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 18 was unanimously adopted by a rising   vote of the House on May 23, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House