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FOR TOMORROW ne hundred years ago how the bequest ofWill Hogg might Texas approached a new become a reality. century with hope that the Thus, the concept of mental hygiene newly-elected governor could help to as a focus began to germinate. make life better for all people. That man Now fifty years have passed. What do was James Stephen Hogg. they mean? In terms of people, it is more One half centurv later Governor than half a lifetime. For an organization, Hogg's daughter, Ima, \'isualized the the firm start ofa long-term effort. need for a better Texas, for humane care James Stephen Hogg taught his for the mentally ill, for pre\'entive mental children that wealth was a legacy to be health measures on behalf of children .... shared. His son, Will C. Hogg, cared Miss Hogg believed she " ... was about the University of Texas. His brought up to respect all the privileges daughter, Miss Ima, was aware of the one may enjoy in America, and I was inner pain and the silent hurts of many taught that every citizen has an obligation people. to serve humanity according to his talents Throughout the half century the basic and privileges." premise of the Hogg family has held firm That was the beginning. Will Hogg, - to sef\'e, in meaningful fashion, the the Governor's oldest son, had died and people of the state. left in his will the wish that his monies would go to the Uni\'ersity ofTexas. But for what purposes? For lectureships? To the medical school? Serendipity played a part. Miss Ima, on her wav to the dedication of the McDonald Obser\'atory on May 5, 1939, happened to ride in the same automobile as Dr. Homer Rainey, then president of the University of Texas. The two talked enthusiastically of the University and its needs. The drive to the Davis Mountains was just long enough for them to discuss Will C. Hogg, original donor of the Hogg Foundation 1 Depression years ofthe )30s took their toll on the human spirit. Conflict) recession) unemployment in following years resulted in similar erosion ofthe psyche) in homelessness) and in despair. THE NINETEEN FORTIES he Hogg Foundation was conceived out of the depression. years of the 19 30s, years which had taken a toll on the social, emotional, and physical stamina ofpeople in this country. Hope had begun to replace despair, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt counseled people to exchange fear for courage and belief in the future. The Hogg Foundation, a part of the University ofTexas, grew out of the beliefs of the Hogg family. It began operation because ofWill and Ima Dr. Robert L. Sutherland, a sociologist, headed the Hogg Hogg's gifts of a $2,500,000 bequest, the Foundation from its inception in 1940 until he retired in largest ever received by the University at 1970. His leadership gave the Foundation its focus and its imperus. that time. The new Foundation, with sociologist Robert Lee Sutherland as its head, set out to bring the message of mental hygiene and the potential of human beings to people throughout the state. The Foundation was housed in the University Tower with the director and one full-time secretary. The annual budget for 1940-41 totaled $18,000. The first 18 months were devoted to educating people about the meaning of mental health. Foundation consultants became a new breed of "circuit riders" who made from three to five talks and meetings in a day in country towns and urban centers. They brought with them 3 "a practical program ofmental hygiene ... States entered the war. American lives to bring about mental health for every day were altered. Military camps were set up people." in small towns. Men went to war, and Booklets concerning family life and wives went to work in the factories. problem solving were purchased and Warehouses were converted to arms given to people who attended lectures. plants. Rationing began. Other publications were mailed, and a Some children, left alone for the first small readership was built up. Thus, the time, began skipping school and hanging Foundation's Mental Health Education out with other youngsters. Soon they program had its beginning. were staying out late at night, shop lifting, drinking, or committing other delinquent acts. ((Please do me the special favor to The Hogg Foundation moved swiftly. keep in touch with your younger Consultants were enlisted to help with the brothers that they may know they schools and family life organizations in are at all times loved and never trying to meet the problems of the young overlooked or forgotten. )) people. Bob Sutherland worked with the Texas State Selective Service Board to Letter from James Stephen Hogg to Ima. March 1902. develop a plan for screening the potential soldiers for mental strength Between 1940 and 1941 consultants and stability. had met with 135,000 persons at some 656 sessions. Dr. Sutherland had by himself reached nearly 50,000 people by talking to more than 300 groups. But Adolph Hitler, who had seemed so far removed from American life as he cut through Poland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, now loomed Publications dealt with means as a menace at home. of problem solving. December 7, 1941, dawned to the tragedy of Pearl H~rbor. The United 4 1 ~ cf a\\ DEBUTANTE : • • /f/f-3 Veterans, returning from World War II, and families left behind had to learn to reknit relationships and to mold peaceful lives. Priorities were for the military, and ness that many serious difficulties began civilian travel was difficult. The circuit in childhood and that child guidance riders were grounded, and mailings of clinics could be valuable preventive aids. "Lectures in Print" carried on the mes Creative approaches to the problems of sage to the public. the mentally ill were being developed, and AB World War II ended, the Hogg the schools were increasingly recognized Foundation faced the mental health needs as basic arenas for help with the mental of returning veterans and their families . health of future generations. Colleges asked for help in readjusting to peacetime problems; agencies needed financial and consultative aid to help with family difficulties and reorientation to peacetime living. The Hogg Foundation became concerned with the problems of the mentally ill. There was increasing aware 5 Beginning ofa family. A father and infant begin the bonding process, an act oflove 1Vhich helps to strengthen relationships for the future. The Hogg Foundation, throughout the years, has worked with many community groups in family life education and in specialized programs dealing with connections between parents and children. THE NINETEEN FIFTIES he 1950s opened against a backdrop of both hope for the new president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and national fear about "the bomb." The Hogg Foundation endeav ored to maintain a "forward look" and planned for the future with organizations throughout the state. A killing drouth halted the economy, and many projects slowed down or ceased. Education programs suffered because of the burgeoning numbers of young people and the low salaries of teachers, a factor alleviated partially by Foundation benefactor Ima Hogg: "I think anything that contributes to a wholesome life is mental health." (Interview mandated pay raises by the Legislature. with Dr. Sutherland, 1967.) A mellow period settled over the country. The era ofMcCarthyism had ended, and optimism began to rise among the general public. By the mid-1950s it was estimated that 1,000,000 Texans had been reached by Foundation-funded consultants, and 4,000 persons were on the mailing list. fl7 health workers, expansion ofstate and community services, extension of mental health education, development ofnew research projects, aid to mental health clinics, and strengthening ofcooperative efforts with other foundations in the Southwest. ccDear Ima: I am anxious for you to spend Christmas with your brothers. Dr. Wayne H. Holtzman, internationally known psychologist, Your influence over them) by reason would later become Foundation president. oftheir deep love for you) is potent and far-reaching ... )) A young psychologist, Dr. Wayne H. Letter from James Stephen Hogg to Ima. Holtzman, joined the Hogg Foundation November 1902. staff and initiated a vigorous research program. Grants were made for begin ning and innovative projects. This seed Needs of mentally ill persons contin money often generated large grants. For ued to spur the Hogg Foundation to example, $28,000 from the Hogg Foun innovative efforts. Working with groups dation brought the researchers in 12 like the Texas Research League, the different projects more than $2,000,000 Junior League, and the Junior Chamber in federal monies. of Commerce, the Foundation publicized, Over the years the Hogg Foundation via stories, pamphlets, and film, the plight has grown and, with it, the achievements ofmentally ill persons in Texas. ofWayne Holtzman who would assume A new pattern ofin-service education leadership in 1970. His outreach in in marriage and family counseling was psychology is worldwide and his guidance instituted by month-long seminars for Air of the Foundation forceful and directed. Force chaplains. The decade of the '50s was character The Board of Regents of the Univer ized by training ofprofessional mental sity ofTexas served as an oversight group 8 The mentally ill who were confined in state hospitals often remained for decades or for a lifetime. The Hogg Foundation worked with other groups to improve the plight of those so stricken. to the foundation, but there was a grow ment by the Foundation in planning, ing need for a professional advisory group policy, and program. Thus, a National which could give expert advice to involve- Advisory Committee (later Council) was established and first met in May of 1959.