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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of the Honorable Sam Wilson Russell, who died |
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May 14, 2014, at the age of 68; and |
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WHEREAS, Sam Russell was born on August 31, 1945, in Gilmer; |
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he attended public schools in Mount Pleasant, and during high |
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school, he served as a White House page under the guidance of |
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Congressman Wright Patman; he went on to earn degrees from East |
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Texas State University and the South Texas College of Law; and |
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WHEREAS, He married one of his best friends from high school, |
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Janet Sue Cox, in 1978; they raised two children together, Monica |
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and Clay, and were blessed with two grandchildren, Tyler and Jack; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Russell joined his father's law firm in Mount |
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Pleasant in 1979; he was elected to the Texas House of |
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Representatives in 1982 and served the people of Northeast Texas |
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with distinction for nearly 10 years; he was an influential member |
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of a number of committees and served as chair of the Criminal |
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Jurisprudence Committee and as House majority leader; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Russell left the legislature in 1992 to serve as |
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legislative director for Governor Ann Richards; after leaving the |
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governor's office, he worked as a governmental affairs director, |
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primarily representing interests in the fields of housing and |
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transportation; and |
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WHEREAS, He returned to his hometown of Mount Pleasant in |
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2005 and resumed the private practice of civil and criminal law; he |
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went on to serve as Titus County judge from 2006 to 2010; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career in |
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public service, he received numerous honors; he was named |
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Legislator of the Year by the Texas Transit Association, and he |
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received a Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Chamber of |
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Commerce; he was recognized by the Texas State Teachers Association |
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and the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association for |
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his commitment to public education; and |
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WHEREAS, He was active in a number of civic and philanthropic |
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organizations, including the Mount Pleasant Rotary Club, Temple |
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Lodge 70 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Mount |
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Pleasant-Titus County Chamber of Commerce, and the Snow Hill |
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Cemetery Association; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and integrity, he gave |
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generously to others, and his wisdom and his enthusiasm for living |
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each day to the fullest will not be forgotten; and |
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WHEREAS, He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and |
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grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured |
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forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Sam |
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Wilson Russell; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his |
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family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Legislature and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do |
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so in memory of Sam Wilson Russell. |