"Washington Mingus Whitesides, born October 11, 1912 to Walter and Bessie May Whitesides in Troup, Texas, died September 14, 2005 in Houston, Texas at the age of 92. Besides his devotion to his beloved wife and family, the highlight of his life was having the privilege to serve in the State of Texas Legislature from 1940 through 1944. Among the bills he authored is HB 270 of the 48th Session, 1943. This bill provided for the establishment of a Tomato Disease Laboratory and Agricultural Experiment Station in Cherokee County under the direction of Texas A and M University. His service occurred during the World War II era and was assigned to these committees: Agriculture, Labor, Military, Livestock, Penitentiaries, and Public Health.