Memorial service pays tribute to former Texas Governor Ann Richards

September 15, 2006

Ann Richards, ca. 1950. Visit the Center for American History’s In Memoriam for Ann Richards, 1933-2006.

Photo courtesy Center for American History

Public information for the memorial service

A memorial service for former Texas Governor Ann Richards will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18 at the Frank Erwin Center on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

Public parking will be available at the state parking garage at the corner of Trinity Street and Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Boulevard. Enter on Trinity. Parking is available on a first-come first-served basis. Other garages and lots on Trinity between MLK and 17th Street will have some parking available. The public is encouraged to carpool or use public transportation. Doors to the Erwin Center will open at 10:30 a.m.

KUT Radio will stream, via its Web site kut.org, the live broadcast of the public memorial service.

Tentative order of the service is former Mayor of Dallas Ron Kirk, master of ceremonies; syndicated columnist Liz Smith; former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros; video presentation; music interspersed; U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton; Richards’ family member, Lily Adams (Ann Richards’ oldest granddaughter); more music, and closing by Ron Kirk.

Richards died Wednesday at her Austin home. She served as Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. A private burial is planned in the Texas State Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial gifts be made to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders at www.austincommunityfoundation.org.

In addition to the service, the university’s Tower will be darkened on the night of Monday, Sept. 18.

News media information for the memorial service

News media admittance to the Erwin Center will be by standard press credentials, or with a letter on media company letterhead from an editor and photo identification.

Erwin Center pool camera information: Video/audio pool will be provided by Media Events Concepts; still pool photography will be provided by Associated Press and Austin American-Statesman.

Parking for news media satellite trucks only is available in Lot 108, just south of the Erwin Center. Other media are encouraged to use area parking garages.

The press entrance to Erwin Center is through the Red River Street door. There will be a pressroom with wireless connections. A limited number of tables for bloggers will be provided.

For news media inquiries about the service at the Erwin Center, please contact Robin Gerrow, 512-232-2145 or robingerrow@mail.utexas.edu.

Additional media contacts: Cathy Bonner, office 512-474-5640, cell 512-656-4462; Brenda Thompson, 512-916-8156, cell 512-461-5644, brenda@brendathompson.com.