Rains Co.TX Senate Resolution
Honoring
Kathleen Hill Becknell
May 6, 1995By: Cain S.R. No. 902
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in
1-3 recognizing Kathleen Hill Becknell, who is being honored on
1-4 Rains County Founders Day on May 6, 1995; and
1-5 WHEREAS, An outstanding citizen who has deep roots in
1-6 Rains County, Kathleen "Kat" Becknell is editor and owner of
1-7 the Rains County Leader, a weekly publication that serves
1-8 five counties and has a circulation of 3,250; and
1-9 WHEREAS, Born in Emory in 1907, Kathleen graduated from
1-10 high school in 1926 and soon began to be active in county affairs;
1-11 she quickly proved to be a leader in her community, and during the
1-12 1930s she was Rains County chairperson for the Red Cross and served
1-13 as chairperson for the War Bond drive during World War II; and
1-14 WHEREAS, She is a charter member of the Point Ladies Civic
1-15 Club and the Rains Garden Club and served as president of the
1-16 Texas Women's Press District 12 in the 1960s; and
1-17 WHEREAS, The first newspaper published in Rains County
1-18 was The Argus, later called The Record; before 1900, the paper
1-19 was sold to A. S. Hornbeck and was renamed the Rains County Leader;
1-20 it was sold to Tom W. Hill, Sr., in 1909 and has remained in the
1-21 Hill family ever since; and
1-22 WHEREAS, In 1962, Kathleen, daughter of Tom W. Hill, Sr.,
1-23 became editor and publisher; the paper is the only one published
2-1 in Rains County and has been established as the county's oldest
2-2 continuing business institution; and
2-3 WHEREAS, A witness to life in Rains County in the early
2-4 1900s, Kat Becknell enjoys reminiscing and recalls spending time
2-5 on Saturday afternoons at the local post office and driving with
2-6 her family in their 1920s Ford touring car that had curtains
2-7 instead of glass in the windows; and
2-8 WHEREAS, Kathleen Hill Becknell is an exemplary lady who is
2-9 beloved and respected by the people of Rains County; an individual
2-10 with an engaging personality who enjoys sharing the history of the
2-11 area with others, Kat is a greatly treasured Rains County citizen;
2-12 now, therefore, be it
2-13 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-14 74th Legislature, hereby commend Kathleen Hill Becknell on her
2-15 many accomplishments and express appreciation to her for her many
2-16 contributions to the residents of Rains County; and, be it further
2-17 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her
2-18 as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
2-19 ______________________________________
2-20 President of the Senate
2-21 I hereby certify that the above
2-22 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-23 on May 3, 1995.
2-24 ______________________________________
2-25 Secretary of the Senate
3-1 ______________________________________
3-2 Member, Texas Senate
