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
	Anch a Harris of Anderson Oliverson
	Anderson Harris of Williamson Ordaz