By DukesH. R. N

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, On June 8 9, 2001, Texans will be joined by relatives from Atlanta, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, and other locales for the Taylor Fields Hobby family reunion in Austin; and

WHEREAS, More than 200 individuals are expected to attend the annual gathering, which begins with "welcoming" activities on Friday evening in the Oak Room of the Chariot Inn; and

WHEREAS, The Taylor Fields Hobby family has deep roots in the Lone Star State; forebears of today's reunion participants contributed in countless ways to the multicultural history of the state, particularly in the Austin and Travis County area; and

WHEREAS, Maude Estelle Fields Taylor and her husband, Monroe, are two of the beloved ancestors honored by today's celebrants; Mrs. Taylor played a key role in bringing natural gas across East Avenue (IH 35), making it available to East Austin residents; Mr. Taylor, a Calcasieu foreman, was a gifted baseball player whose love of the sport influenced his son, Vernon "Tito" Taylor, who became an organizer and player for the Austin Black Senators and the Palominos and later played with the Kansas City Monarchs and the Detroit Stars; and

WHEREAS, Inspiring the younger generations are numerous esteemed members of the family who have been successful in a variety of professions, including sports, education, business, and the ministry; noted for accomplishments in their respective fields are football greats Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson and Edgar Fields, businessman and athlete Brady Keys, local activists Ora Lee Taylor Nobles and Julia Faye Taylor Mitchell, and retired Lieutenant Colonel Gary C. Powell, a senior operations manager for Dell Computer Corporation; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the contributions made by members of the Taylor Fields Hobby family have been interwoven in the compelling story of Texas, and it is indeed fitting that they be acknowledged at this time; now, therefore, be it