H.R. No. 642
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The members of the Texas House of Representatives
1-2 take special pleasure in honoring a former colleague, the Honorable
1-3 M. B. Etheredge, for the many outstanding contributions he has made
1-4 to his community, state, and nation over the course of a celebrated
1-5 career that has lasted more than 50 years; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Colonel Etheredge was born in Weldon on June 7,
1-7 1915, the son of a distinguished pioneer family, and at an early
1-8 age began to demonstrate the intelligence and academic excellence
1-9 for which he later became so renowned; determined to attend
1-10 college, he left home and worked around the clock so that he could
1-11 graduate from an accredited high school, and in 1937 this fine
1-12 Texan received his biology degree from Sam Houston State Teachers
1-13 College, where he served as both president of the senior class and
1-14 as captain of the track team; and
1-15 WHEREAS, Following his graduation from college, he began his
1-16 storied career in public education as a teacher in Sugar Land,
1-17 where he immediately earned the respect and admiration of students,
1-18 parents, and colleagues alike; in 1941, at the age of 26, Colonel
1-19 Etheredge became the youngest school superintendent in the state
1-20 when he accepted a position in Damon, Brazoria County; and
1-21 WHEREAS, One year later, this patriotic American answered his
1-22 country's call to arms and volunteered for the United States Army,
1-23 putting his career on hold and his life at risk; during his tours
1-24 of duty in Africa, Italy, and France, he distinguished himself as
2-1 one of the most highly decorated Americans to serve in World War
2-2 II, earning two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts and becoming one
2-3 of the few individuals in history to be awarded three Silver Stars
2-4 for gallantry in action; and
2-5 WHEREAS, At the conclusion of the war, he continued his
2-6 career in the military, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel
2-7 during his meritorious service in the Texas National Guard; Colonel
2-8 Etheredge also returned to school to better prepare himself for his
2-9 life's primary work in the field of public education, receiving his
2-10 master's degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1947 and
2-11 pursuing postgraduate studies as a Peabody scholar at The
2-12 University of Texas at Austin; and
2-13 WHEREAS, A brilliant and articulate champion of public
2-14 education, this exceptional man decided to enter the arena of
2-15 public policymaking and in 1947 became a member of the Texas House
2-16 of Representatives; during the 50th, 51st, and 52nd legislatures,
2-17 he served the citizens of District 29 with integrity and
2-18 dedication, and brought to the house chamber a truly remarkable
2-19 range of expertise in the field of education; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Among his many notable achievements as a lawmaker,
2-21 Colonel Etheredge can perhaps be most proud of his work as chairman
2-22 of the House Education Committee, for it was under his able
2-23 leadership that the Gilmer-Aiken bills were passed; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Colonel Etheredge left public service in 1951, when
2-25 he returned to the classroom to teach at his alma mater, Sam
2-26 Houston State University, as a professor in the education
2-27 department; a member of the university's athletic hall of honor, he
3-1 retired as a full professor in 1978 and was later recognized as a
3-2 distinguished alumnus of the school; and
3-3 WHEREAS, In addition to these outstanding military and
3-4 professional accomplishments, he has also found time to work with
3-5 many local business and civic organizations; a past board member of
3-6 his local chamber of commerce and the founder of two area banks,
3-7 the American Bank in Huntsville and the Lake Area National Bank in
3-8 Trinity, Colonel Etheredge is a past president and longtime member
3-9 of the Huntsville Rotary Club and for many years served as chairman
3-10 of the Walker County Democratic Party; and
3-11 WHEREAS, A member of his local community of faith at the
3-12 First Baptist Church in Huntsville, this extraordinary Texan is
3-13 above all else a devoted family man who enjoys a richly rewarding
3-14 marriage with his wife of 55 years, Emma Fatheree Etheredge, and
3-15 who takes immense pride in his daughter, Virginia Lee Etheredge;
3-16 and
3-17 WHEREAS, Colonel Etheredge is a true inspiration to Texans
3-18 everywhere who have dedicated themselves to improving the quality
3-19 of public education for our state's youngest citizens, and his many
3-20 exceptional achievements are indeed worthy of special legislative
3-21 recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives hereby
3-23 congratulate the Honorable M. B. Etheredge for the innumerable
3-24 contributions he has made toward making Texas a better place in
3-25 which to learn, work, and raise a family; and, be it further
3-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-27 prepared for Colonel Etheredge as an expression of highest regard
4-1 by his former colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives.