“He was devoted to his family and friends and was always ready to help those who were willing to work hard,” said Texas State Senator Royce West.
The Texas Senate postponed an adjournment early Friday to commemorate native Texan Joe Kirven, who passed away earlier this week.
Kirven, 90, spent his life making an impact through his work in business, education, and politics in North Texas.
Texas Senator Royce West spoke in the Senate Friday morning, talking about Kirven’s life and moving to adjourn until Monday morning in his honor.
“His life and legacy will be remembered by those who benefited, directly and indirectly, from his efforts as a coalition builder and groundbreaking entrepreneur who crossed political boundaries for the betterment of Texas,” West said.
After West finished his speech, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick added that Kirven was “a great American and a great Texas story.”
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Kirven attended Dallas public schools and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wiley College, Marshall.
After graduation, Kirven worked in the cleaning and maintenance business with a friend. Then he bought the company and turned it into a company that made millions of dollars annually while also starting a second commercial real estate investment company.
“Kirven was clearly an ambitious man,” said West.
From 1969 to 1974, Kirven served as the trustee of the Hockaday School Board for the Hockaday School in Dallas and was the first black person to serve on the board.
He was also a member of the Dallas Independent School District Board in 1970 and 1971 when the Dallas schools began integrating.
“Joe Kirven has brought unprecedented access to minority communities with his historic responsibility never given to an African American in Texas,” West said.
In 1970 President Richard Nixon appointed Kirven to the Office of Minority Business Enterprise.
Kirven was also invited by President Jimmy Carter to attend a small business presidential conference.
West said that by working with these presidents, Kirven was able to be a “voice of black constituencies throughout the state of Texas.”
“He was devoted to his family and friends and was always ready to help those who were willing to work hard,” West said.
Kirven served on the University of North Texas’ Board of Regents from 1989 to 2000.
During that time, Kirven helped found the Blue Ribbon Committee at UNT in 1995 to assist the Black Student Alliance with their requests for change on campus.
He also helped set up the Multicultural Center and the Office of Equity and Diversity.
“He has inspired and encouraged young people to be the best they can be,” said West.
Kirven was named an Outstanding Businessman by Ebony Magazine in 1972 and one of the Top Five Outstanding Young Texans in 1968 by the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Kirven also served as president of the Black Chamber of Commerce along with several other organizations and provided more than $ 200,000 to black companies in Dallas through his nonprofit.
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