01/07/1961
Times Austin Correspondent
Austin – A “Junior Inaugural” banquet Friday night closed the biggest day so far in the life of tall, handsome Sen. Frank Owen III, of El Paso, the day in which he presided as acting governor of Texas.
His first official act was to sign a proclamation declaring continuation of Texas’ Good Neighbor Policy toward neighbors south of the Rio Grande.
And El Paso and West Texas shared in the big day, with a delegation of more than 50 persons here for Sen. Owen’s one day “Administration,” and for the inaugural reception and banquet tendered him and his family by several hundred legislators and other friends.
Four generals and other officers from Ft. Bliss, Biggs Air Force Base and military contingents in El Paso were on hand to join in the celebration of Frank Owen Day in state government.
After he was sworn in, Owen was presented a telephone with his name and the great seal of Texas on it by Carl Connors, vice president and general manager, Mountain States Telephone Co., El Paso.
Owen, as president pro tempore of the senate, became acting governor when Gov. Price Daniel and Lt. Gov. Ben Ramsey cooperatively stepped across the state line on the same day. The reception and dinner were arranged by a joint committee of Austin, El Paso and the 29th Senatorial District friends, with Jake Jacobsen and former Rep. Callan Graham, co-chairman for the Austin group.
Gov. Owen also issued a proclamation naming and commending the services of about 100 persons, the founders of El Paso del Norte, in recognition of the centennial of the settlement. The proclamation extended the official felicitations of the state to the citizens of the El Paso area on the centenary observance.
Other proclamations by Owen designated Friday as Safety and Law Enforcement Day in Texas; gave recognition to the role of small business as the bulwark of the free enterprise system; urged Texans to affirm their support of increasing tourism in the state; and urged public policies of broadening the industrial base of the state, including adequate appropriations to the Texas Industrial commission.
Heading a big delegation from El Paso, which came by car and charted bus were Rep. James E. Blaine, Homer Hirsch and Hugh McMillan. Former Attorney General John Ben Shepperd was chairman for the Midland-Odessa area of the district, and Conrad Dunagan for the Monahans area.
Former House Speaker Homer Leonard presided at the semi-formal dinner honoring acting Governor Owen and his family.
District neighbors and fellow senators joined in speeches of appreciation in the evening program. Former Rep. Louis Ivey and Fred Niemann and Sen. Ray Roberts, of McKinney, eulogized Owen’s service as a senator, interim presiding, officer of the Senate and declared their pride that he had for a day reached the state’s highest executive office.
In his response, Owen expressed appreciation that friends had made the 600-mile trip to share with him and his family the day’s celebration, also his appreciation that many members of the Legislature and Austin friends also joined in the ceremonies.
MILITARY REPRESENTED
The Owen family reached Austin in two groups. Sen. And Mrs. Owen and daughter Cathey arrived early. The five other children came in during the day with the large group of El Paso friends.
Rep. Blaine, of El Paso, and Sen. Roberts, of McKinney, escorted Owen from the Senate to the governor’s office at 9:30 a.m. There newly-appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Zollie Steakley administered the oath to acting governor. Someone brought in a gold-lettered nameplate, “Gov. Frank Owen III,” which was placed on the executive desk.
Representing Biggs were Col. Charles K. Nelson, Col. Thomas G. Netcher and Col. Howard F. Hugo.
Representing Ft. Bliss and military components in El Paso were Brig. Gen. Stephen M. Mellnik, Brig. Gen John D. Stevens, Brig. Gen. E.W. Heathcote, Brig. Gen. A.H. Bender, col. L.H. Hewitt, Lt. Comdr, C.V. Ruthledge, Lt. William W. Wilson. Col Ward V. Walts and Lt. Col. Raymond L. Telles Jr., also mayor of El Paso.
Owen and his family were guest for luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. There was an all-day reception in the governor’s office, with coffee served to the hundreds of callers.
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