EXHIBIT 99.1




                      VALHI DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND AND
                        HOLDS ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING  

       DALLAS, TEXAS . . . May 12, 1994 . . . Valhi, Inc. announced today that
its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarter dividend of two cents
($.02) per share on its common stock, payable June 30, 1994, to stockholders of
record at the close of business June 15, 1994.

       Valhi also announced that, at its Annual Stockholders Meeting held today,
an amendment to its 1987 Stock Option - Stock Appreciation Rights Plan was
approved by the Company's stockholders and seven (7) incumbent Directors of the
Company were re-elected for terms of one year.  The Directors of the Company
are:  Arthur H. Bilger; Norman S. Edelcup; Robert J. Frame; Glenn R. Simmons;
Harold C. Simmons; Michael A. Snetzer and J. Walter Tucker, Jr.

       Valhi, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a diversified industrial
management company engaged in the refined sugar, forest products, fast food and
hardware products industries.  Valhi is also engaged in the chemicals and
titanium metals industries through its equity interests in two publicly-held
affiliates, NL Industries, Inc. and Tremont Corporation.  Valhi's common stock
is traded on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges under the symbol "VHI".



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