H.R. No. 613
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has lost a distinguished Texan
1-2 with the passing of our former colleague, the Honorable Foster
1-3 Whaley, on April 25, 1993, at the age of 73; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Born March 23, 1920, he was graduated from Texas A&M
1-5 University in 1949, at which time he entered the Texas Agricultural
1-6 Extension Service, with which he enjoyed an outstanding tenure that
1-7 spanned nearly three decades until his retirement in 1975; and
1-8 WHEREAS, While a young man, this patriotic gentleman proudly
1-9 served his country in the European Theater under General George
1-10 Patton and earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his
1-11 meritorious service during four major campaigns; and
1-12 WHEREAS, A resident of Pampa, Mr. Whaley served as a member
1-13 of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 until his
1-14 retirement in 1989 and brought to his legislative office a wealth
1-15 of valuable knowledge and expertise that he acquired throughout a
1-16 lifetime of farming and ranching in Armstrong, Carson, and Gray
1-17 counties; and
1-18 WHEREAS, During his exceptional tenure as a member of the
1-19 house, Mr. Whaley exercised his considerable leadership abilities
1-20 as the budget and oversight chairman for the Committee on County
1-21 Affairs for eight years and as an active member of a number of
1-22 other key committees, including the Appropriations Committee and
1-23 the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock; and
1-24 WHEREAS, An active local business and civic leader as well,
2-1 Mr. Whaley generously shared his time and talents to benefit his
2-2 profession and his community as a founding member of the Texas
2-3 Cattle Feeders Association and as an active member of the Pampa
2-4 Chamber of Commerce, the Pampa Kiwanis Club, and the Texas Farm
2-5 Bureau; and
2-6 WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Whaley was a devoted family man who
2-7 shared a rich and rewarding marriage with his wife of 41 years,
2-8 Lois, and took great pride in the achievements of his children,
2-9 Wayne, Christie, and Karlette, all of whom followed in their
2-10 father's footsteps as graduates of Texas A&M University; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Mr. Whaley earned numerous well-deserved honors over
2-12 the course of his fine career, including being named "Man of the
2-13 Year" by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, one of the top
2-14 10 county agents in the nation by the national publication, Farm
2-15 Technology, and the recipient of his alma mater's highest honor,
2-16 the Texas Superior Service Award; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Foster Whaley was a caring and courageous citizen
2-18 who will long be remembered for his outstanding service to the
2-19 State of Texas; though his presence will be greatly missed by all
2-20 who knew him, his spirit will surely live on in the many
2-21 accomplishments he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
2-22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-23 Legislature hereby honor the memory of former Representative Foster
2-24 Whaley and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
2-25 family: to his wife, Lois; to his children, Wayne Whaley, Christie
2-26 Cofield, and Karlette Baker; to his four beloved grandchildren; and
2-27 to the many other friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be
3-1 it further
3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-3 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-4 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-5 Foster Whaley.