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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to |
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a close with the passing of Harold Kenneth Elliott of Arlington on |
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February 6, 2019, at the age of 83; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Othel and Veda Elliott, Harold Elliott |
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was born in Clarendon on June 9, 1935; when he was only 14, he began |
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preaching, and he became a pastor two years later; he graduated from |
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The University of Texas at Arlington and Southwestern Baptist |
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Theological Seminary; in 1952, he married the former Norma Haws, |
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and they became the parents of three children, Tina, Ken, and |
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Sherrie; he eventually welcomed into his cherished family four |
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grandchildren, Andrea, Ashley, Kathryn, and Jonathan, and two |
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great-grandchildren, Mia and Gavin; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed clergyman was a pastor for three |
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decades and led Parkview Baptist Church from 1959 until his |
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retirement in 1982; in 1973, he began serving as a volunteer |
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chaplain for the Arlington Police Department, and he became its |
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first full-time chaplain in 1982; the officers gave him the |
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affectionate nickname "Chappy," and following his retirement in |
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2004, he continued to volunteer in his familiar role until his |
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passing; and |
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WHEREAS, After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Chaplain Elliott |
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consoled first responders in New York City, and over the years, he |
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provided spiritual guidance in a number of other major disasters, |
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including the Branch Davidian crisis, the Oklahoma City bombing, |
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and Hurricane Katrina; he held credentials from the Texas |
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Department of Public Safety Critical Incident Stress Team, the |
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the |
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Tarrant County Sheriff's Department; he was also the author of two |
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books and produced two films, and in 1982, he founded the Police |
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Museum, which was named in his honor in 2004; and |
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WHEREAS, Harold Elliott was a source of wisdom and comfort to |
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innumerable people, and although he will be deeply missed, those |
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who were fortunate enough to know him will continue to find |
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inspiration in his faith, compassion, and devotion; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Harold Kenneth |
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Elliott and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his |
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passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Harold |
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Kenneth Elliott. |