In memory of Dr. Charles Eugene Urdy of Austin.

89(R) HR 18 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

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