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