The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 81, July 1977 - April, 1978 Page: 37

Notes and Documents
Eleven Years--A Summing Up
JOE B. FRANTZ*
O NE DAY IN THE SPRING OF 1966, THE LATE HARRY H. RANSOM
called me into his office and said that in view of the increasingly
serious illness of H. Bailey Carroll, I should be prepared to become di-
rector of the Texas State Historical Association. I protested that I was
up to my ears in unfinished projects and saw no way I could assume
anything else.
But few people could be as persuasive as Ransom, and I left his office
with a promise to become director at the beginning of May-right after
annual meeting. I also said that I would take the position for three
years, absolutely no longer.
Now eleven years have passed, and I think that-even with my im-
perfect sense of time-I have made good on my three-year pledge. So in
the years ahead, if I ever stand up here in front of you again, it will be
as a civilian, a former director. My resignation was accepted this after-
noon at the business meeting, and as of August 31 of this summer I will
no longer be officially connected with the Association, though I ex-
pect to hang around the periphery as a supporter until my resignation
from all earthly endeavors becomes permanent.
As of right now, you are looking at one of the freshest lame ducks
anywhere!
In one respect I was correct. I didn't really have time for the direc-
torship, but with the help of people like Tuffly, Ken, Bob, Colleen,
Barbara, Ruth, Janie, Mary, and Eldon-to name only nine of my more
enduring colleagues-and with the forbearance of my family and the
graciousness of the officers and members of the Association, I have sur-
vived till tonight. In my own way I have proved once again that you
always have time for anything that needs doing.
*The following is the text of an address delivered by Joe B. Frantz at the annual
meeting banquet, March 3, 1977, announcing his resignation as director of the Texas State
Historical Association.