[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LATE JAMES HOUSTON DOSS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and remember an 
outstanding civic leader of the 12th District of Texas. Mr. James 
Houston Doss, Jr., a great business leader and philanthropist, passed 
away Monday, May 22, at the age of 85. While Mr. Doss's passing is a 
loss to the community, his life was a blessing to the entire area.
  Mr. Doss was raised in Weatherford and graduated from Weatherford 
College in 1934. He spent time at the University of Texas in 1936 and 
Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1937.
  Many knew Mr. Doss through his role as a successful banker. Not many 
realized that he worked his way up from the bottom to enjoy his 
success. Mr. Doss joined Weatherford's Merchants and Farmers State Bank 
(now Texas Bank) in 1929 as a janitor earning only $15 each month. 
After years of dedicated service, he was chosen to serve the bank as 
president from 1945-55.
  Mr. Doss then left banking to pursue other interests in homebuilding, 
shopping center development, and real estate investment but quickly 
returned to the bank. He served as Chairman of the Board for years and 
became Chairman Emeritus in 1998. Most recently, Mr. Doss was named 
``Banker of the Year'' by the National Institute of Community Banking.
  In addition to his successful career in the banking business, Mr. 
Doss taught accounting at his alma mater, Weatherford College. His 
contributions of time, talent, and resources were responsible for the 
Doss Student Center, the Doss Scholarship Fund, and many other 
initiatives. His commitment to education was demonstrated in his 
service as a trustee of Weatherford College and the Weatherford 
Independent School District. For 33 years, he was on the Board of 
Trustees at Trinity University in San Antonio. In 1976, he was named 
Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce 
because of his business success and commitment to education.
  In addition to his service in the education community, Mr. Doss was 
also very involved in the Presbyterian Church. He was the third 
generation of his family to serve as a Presbyterian elder in Parker 
County; and he held many positions within the church including 
moderator for the Synod of Texas of the Presbyterian Church in the USA 
in 1964, first president of The United Presbyterian Foundation Synod of 
the Sun, and trustee of the National United Presbyterian Foundation in 
New York City.
  Mr. Speaker, I speak for the entire community when I express our 
great remorse at the passing of James Houston Doss, Jr. Mr. Doss set a 
standard for community activism and professional excellence, and he 
will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________