H.R. No. 187
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A life made rich by meaningful service to our nation
  was tragically cut short with the death of Vernon Hunter of Cedar
  Park on February 18, 2010; and
         WHEREAS, A longtime employee of the Internal Revenue Service,
  Mr. Hunter was killed during an attack on the IRS headquarters in
  the Echelon Building in Austin; and
         WHEREAS, Vernon Hunter was raised in Orangeburg, South
  Carolina; at the age of two months, he was adopted by another family
  named Jackson, and though he kept his original surname, he and his
  four adoptive brothers often called themselves "the Other Jackson
  Five"; and
         WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Hunter
  joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and served for two decades, including
  two tours of duty in Vietnam in the late 1960s; he impressed his
  fellow soldiers with his calm, measured manner and his dedication
  to his duty; and
         WHEREAS, Following his military service, he worked for a time
  as a substitute teacher in El Paso before he was recruited by the
  IRS; he worked for the agency for 27 years, and in the mid-1990s he
  joined the Austin office, where he was a highly respected manager;
  and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Hunter was devoted to his family and his faith
  and was a member of the usher board at the Greater Mount Zion
  Baptist Church; he was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins
  football team and of Texas barbecue; and
         WHEREAS, In recognition of Mr. Hunter's lifetime of service,
  the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund and the
  National Treasury Employees Union have established the Vernon
  Hunter Memorial Scholarship, which will award $5,000 every year to
  a federal employee or dependent who demonstrates outstanding
  achievement in academics and community service; and
         WHEREAS, Vernon Hunter's commitment, compassion, and
  integrity were an inspiration to many people, and his contributions
  as a soldier, a civil servant, and a caring member of the community
  will continue to be remembered and admired for years to come; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Vernon Hunter and
  extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
  wife, Valerie Hunter; to his children, Donald, Ken, and Christine;
  to his grandchildren, Don, Jolene, Lutisia, Sienna, Quinn,
  Savannah, and Athena; to his great-granddaughter, Anastasia; to his
  stepchildren, Justin, Crystin, and Tara Jackson; and to his other
  relatives and friends; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Vernon
  Hunter.
 
  Schwertner
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 187 was unanimously adopted by a
  rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House