H.R. No. 56
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of retired state District Judge Charles
1-2 J. Murray on December 30, 1992, at the age of 73, has brought a
1-3 great loss to the many friends, relatives, and colleagues of this
1-4 distinguished Texan; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Beginning his lifelong dedication to the legal
1-6 profession at an early age, this exceptional gentleman was
1-7 graduated with a prelaw degree from Texas Christian University and
1-8 with a law degree from Southern Methodist University, which in 1987
1-9 designated him an outstanding alumnus; and
1-10 WHEREAS, After an initial foray into the practice of law as a
1-11 criminal attorney, Judge Murray realized his true calling and
1-12 entered the field of civil law; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Judge Murray presided over the 17th District Court
1-14 in Fort Worth for 26 years until his retirement in 1989, and he was
1-15 widely recognized among his colleagues as one of the finest trial
1-16 judges of our time; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Named presiding judge of the 8th Administrative
1-18 Judicial District in 1978, this accomplished magistrate supervised
1-19 the operation of 54 courts in 16 North Texas counties; a past
1-20 president of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Bar Association, he also
1-21 was the recipient of the first Outstanding Jurist Award ever given
1-22 by the Texas Bar Foundation; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Renowned for his patience, firmness, and
1-24 intelligence, Judge Murray made many notable rulings over the
2-1 course of his career, including the landmark decision he made in
2-2 1987 when he concluded that Texas parents may educate their
2-3 children at home rather than in the classroom; after stepping down
2-4 from the bench in 1989, he remained active in his profession,
2-5 joining the Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller law firm of Fort
2-6 Worth; and
2-7 WHEREAS, The devoted husband of Inez Murray for 37 years,
2-8 Judge Murray also made invaluable contributions to the Fort Worth
2-9 community as a member of the Moslah Shrine Temple and the Fort
2-10 Worth Petroleum Club and as the past president of the Colonial
2-11 Country Club; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to know Judge Murray will
2-13 not soon forget the courage, commitment, and compassion he brought
2-14 to each facet of his life, both personal and professional; loved
2-15 and respected by countless friends, he was a man of tremendous
2-16 integrity who will long be remembered by the many people whose
2-17 lives he touched during his years on this earth; now, therefore, be
2-18 it
2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-20 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of former state District
2-21 Judge Charles J. Murray and extend deepest sympathy to the members
2-22 of his family: to his wife, Inez Murray of Fort Worth; to his
2-23 brother, George A. Murray of Hurst; and to his many other friends,
2-24 relatives, and colleagues throughout the State of Texas; and, be it
2-25 further
2-26 RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
2-27 for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
3-1 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge
3-2 Charles J. Murray.
3-3 Charles J. Murray.
3-4 Willis
3-5 H.R. No. 56
3-6 _______________________________
3-7 Speaker of the House
3-8 I certify that H.R. No. 56 was unanimously adopted by a
3-9 rising vote of the House on March 11, 1993.
3-10 _______________________________
3-11 Chief Clerk of the House