By:  Willis                                             H.R. No. 56
       73R2549 KMP-D
                                  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.