Former Texas lawmaker, U.S. ambassador Teel Bivins dies at 61

Posted Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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The Associated Press

AUSTIN — Teel Bivins, a former state lawmaker and U.S. ambassador to Sweden, died Monday at his home in Amarillo, family spokeswoman Sharon Miner said. Mr. Bivins was 61.

Miner said he had a long illness.

The Amarillo Republican served in the Texas Senate for 15 years before President George W. Bush appointed him the U.S. ambassador to Sweden in 2004.

Mr. Bivins was one of Bush’s most successful fundraisers during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. He stepped down from the diplomatic post for health reasons in early 2006.

In a statement, Bush called Mr. Bivins a "dear friend and a great man."

"Laura and I mourn the passing of Teel Bivins," Bush said. "Those of us fortunate enough to know Teel will miss him greatly."

While in the Legislature, Mr. Bivins rose to chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and was a member of the Legislative Budget Board.

Before his election, Mr. Bivins worked as a businessman and cattleman. He graduated from Tulane University and earned a law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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