John Bowden Connally, Jr., a prominent American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Texas and the Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard Nixon, died on June 15, 1993 at the age of 76. He was born on February 27, 1917 in Floresville, Texas to John Bowden and Lela Wright Connally. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a law degree in 1940. During World War II he served in the Navy in the South Pacific. After the war, he served in the Texas legislature, then was elected Texas Attorney General in 1956. In 1961, he was elected Governor of Texas. As Governor, he supported the Civil Rights Movement, and inspired the now-famous phrase “Welcome to the New Texas” after introducing an economic stimulus package that greatly diversified the state's economy. He was appointed Secretary of the Treasury under President Nixon in 1971. Connally moved to Austin, Texas following his retirement, and he enjoyed following his beloved University of Texas Longhorns. He was married to Idanell Brill; the pair had two sons. He will be remembered for his lasting impacts on the state of Texas both as Governor and later as a statesman.