North Texas lost two regional pioneers this year, Hon. Bob Bolen and Hon. Ray Hutchison. The North Texas Commission would like to a moment this holiday seasons to highlight their community works and remind our region of the deep roots they left that continue to facilitate our exponential growth.
BOB BOLEN – STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES
Bob Bolen is known to most North Texans as Mayor after holding the Fort Worth office over a span of nine years, the longest in the history of the city. From 1982 to 1991, Bolen’s drive for economic development in Fort Worth brought the ground breaking of Alliance Airport, the American Airlines maintenance facility and the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Now, Fort Worth ranks 16 on the list of largest U.S. cities.
Current Fort Worth Mayor, Betsy Price, said it best, “He was one of those rare people who dedicated so much of his life to public service. People need to realize what a true jewel he was, what a hero he was and how much he will be missed.”
We lost Bolen at the age of 87 on January 3. Our own President and CEO, Mabrie Jackson, reinforced his legacy, “North Texas lost an amazing leader. Bob Bolen is the true definition of a servant leader from serving the city of Fort Worth as Mayor to continuing to guide future leaders at TCU. He changed the face of North Texas for many generations to come.”
RAY HUTCHISON – DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Former Dallas State Representative, Elton “Ray” Hutchison was dedicated to the North Texas region and saw huge potential for the growing region. As a key collaborator for the building of the DFW International Airport, the DART light rail system and the stadiums from the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers. Hutchison passed away in March at the age of 81.
Taking office as State Representative in 1973, Hutchison was one a few Republicans on the House floor. He went on to become the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas in 1976. After running for governor in 1978, he returned back to Dallas and continued collaborating with regional thought leaders as a prominent Dallas lawyer focusing on government finances.
Speaker of the House Hon. Joe Straus put it best, “Through his public service and his work in the private sector, Ray Hutchison made a remarkable contribution to the state of Texas. He led our party at a critical time of growth and transition while helping position Republicans for decades of electoral success. In addition, Ray’s work as a lawyer will make a difference in the lives of Texans for many years to come, whether they are flying in and out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, commuting to work via Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or taking in a game at the Ballpark at Arlington.”
Details and quotes from this article were pulled from Bob Bolen’s obituary in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and from Ray Hutchison’s Obituary quotes Dallas Morning News.