R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The members of this chamber wish to extend belated 1-2 congratulations to their former colleague, the Honorable Doyle 1-3 Willis, who celebrated his 90th birthday on August 8, 1998; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Senator Willis was born August 8, 1-5 1908, in Kaufman County; he pursued his higher education at The 1-6 University of Texas at Austin and continued his pursuit of academic 1-7 excellence at Georgetown University Law School; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Senator Willis served his nation with distinction 1-9 for 52 months during World War II as a member of the United States 1-10 Air Force, earning the Bronze Star and four Battle Stars, and by 1-11 the end of his storied military career he had achieved the rank of 1-12 major; and 1-13 WHEREAS, After completing his military service, he was 1-14 elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1947, and his 1-15 exemplary service to his fellow Texans as a respected member of 1-16 that house, and as a state senator, spanned 42 productive years, 1-17 the second longest tenure in the history of the Lone Star State; 1-18 and 1-19 WHEREAS, Senator Willis left an indelible stamp on Texas 1-20 government by authoring more than 100 Texas statutes; he also 1-21 played a vital role in the committee process, was president pro 1-22 tempore of the Texas Senate, as well as the dean of the Texas House 1-23 of Representatives, and held the state's highest office as 1-24 Governor of Texas for a day on August 13, 1961; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In recognition of his many contributions, he was 2-2 named outstanding legislator by a number of diverse groups, 2-3 including organizations of teachers, women, police, firefighters, 2-4 labor advocates, senior citizens, veterans, and others too numerous 2-5 to mention; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Senator Willis is a member of the Texas, District of 2-7 Columbia, and Hawaii bar associations and is licensed to practice 2-8 before the United States Supreme Court; in addition, he holds a 2-9 membership in First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth and The 2-10 Sons of the Republic of Texas and is a Knight of the Order of San 2-11 Jacinto and a Scottish Rite Mason; and 2-12 WHEREAS, His many notable accomplishments are a source of 2-13 continuing pride to his devoted wife, Evelyn, and to his children, 2-14 Dina, Dale, Dan, and Doyle, Jr.; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Throughout the course of his nine decades, Senator 2-16 Doyle Willis has exemplified the concept of service to his state, 2-17 nation, and fellowman, and it is truly appropriate that he be 2-18 honored at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Doyle Willis on the 2-21 significant occasion of his 90th birthday and extend to him sincere 2-22 best wishes for continued happiness in the future; and, be it 2-23 further 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for Senator Willis as an expression of highest regard by 2-26 the Texas House of Representatives. Hunter _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 17 was adopted by the House on March 25, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House