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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life lived with kindness and purpose drew to a |
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close with the passing of noted speechwriter Suzanne Coleman of |
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Austin on July 13, 2017, at the age of 70; and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of William Clovis Coleman and Amelia |
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Lary Coleman, Suzanne Coleman was born in Fort Worth on December 24, |
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1946; she graduated from Paschal High School and completed her |
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bachelor's degree in political science and history at Texas |
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Christian University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta; |
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subsequently, she earned a master's degree in political science |
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from The University of Texas at Arlington and pursued doctoral |
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studies at Rice University, but she left academia to volunteer in |
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the gubernatorial primary campaign of Frances Tarlton "Sissy" |
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Farenthold; and |
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WHEREAS, Ms. Coleman forged a remarkable career in politics, |
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employing her skill as a wordsmith to support enduring democratic |
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values; she gained wide recognition as chief speechwriter for Ann |
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W. Richards, channeling the charismatic governor's bold, witty |
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speaking style and helping elevate simple stories from everyday |
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life into moving commentary that evoked a sense of community; |
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empathetic as well as eloquent, she was equally adept at crafting |
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the penetrating one-liner and gracefully revealing the sentimental |
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streak that she and the governor shared; those for whom she wrote |
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also included two University of Texas System officials, chancellor |
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Mark G. Yudof and executive vice chancellor for health affairs |
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Dr. Kenneth Shine; and |
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WHEREAS, The devoted partner of Mary Jane Leahy, whom she met |
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in 1989, Ms. Coleman relished their trips to New Mexico and their |
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political discussions, the latter not least when they took place |
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over a special and lengthy meal; and |
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WHEREAS, Suzanne Coleman created a powerful legacy through |
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her words, all chosen with the utmost care, and those she has left |
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behind will forever cherish their memories of her wisdom, |
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integrity, thoughtfulness, and wonderfully wry sense of humor; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Suzanne Coleman and extend sincere condolences to the members of |
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her family: to her partner, Mary Jane Leahy; to her cousins, Mary |
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Land, Melinda Lary-Smith, Lee Ann O'Loughlin, and Amelia Ann Kerby |
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Haltom and her son, Kerby; to her treasured friend, Mimi Purnell; |
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and to all those who mourn her passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Suzanne |
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Coleman. |