By Gallego                                           H.C.R. No. 202
       74R2862 BNL-D
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Virginia Kelley on January 6, 1994,
    1-2  at the age of 70, has brought a great loss to the many friends and
    1-3  relatives of this beloved woman, and Texans join all Americans in
    1-4  expressing deepest sympathy to the members of her family; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, Mrs. Kelley rose to national prominence in recent
    1-6  years as the mother of President Bill Clinton, but to her many
    1-7  friends and admirers in Arkansas, she was known and respected as
    1-8  much for her courage, spirit, and ebullient nature as for her
    1-9  famous son; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, Widowed before her elder child was born, Mrs. Kelley
   1-11  made the difficult decision to leave him in the care of her parents
   1-12  while she traveled to Louisiana to study nursing; the separation
   1-13  was heartbreaking for both, and the long hospital shifts required
   1-14  during her subsequent career as a nurse anesthetist were just as
   1-15  difficult; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Despite these overwhelming odds, this devoted mother
   1-17  remained determined that her sons would have a better life and more
   1-18  opportunities than she had, and she did everything in her capacity
   1-19  to ensure their success and happiness; her hard work and unwavering
   1-20  belief in this American Dream were justified when one of her sons
   1-21  was elected to the nation's highest office, the presidency; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Her legendary courage in the face of adversity was
   1-23  put to the test when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but this
   1-24  indomitable woman fought her illness with determination and faith;
    2-1  drawing upon her own inexhaustible optimism and spiritual strength,
    2-2  as well as the love and support of her family, she became an
    2-3  inspiration to all who have faced daunting illnesses, and her
    2-4  passing does not diminish this accomplishment; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, In recent years, Mrs. Kelley enjoyed a warm and
    2-6  fulfilling marriage to Richard Kelley, her husband since 1982, and
    2-7  took great pride and joy in the accomplishments of her
    2-8  granddaughter, Chelsea; Mrs. Kelley was eagerly anticipating the
    2-9  arrival of her second grandchild, and she had just completed her
   2-10  autobiography, Leading With My Heart, which was published shortly
   2-11  after her death; and
   2-12        WHEREAS, Although most of the media attention she received
   2-13  was focused on her famous son, Bill, Virginia Kelley's greatest
   2-14  accomplishments can be seen in the lives of all who benefitted from
   2-15  her love, encouragement, and boundless inner strength; as a wife,
   2-16  as a nurse, and as a mother, Virginia Kelley shared her healing
   2-17  spirit with all who knew her, and the many individuals whose lives
   2-18  she touched will keep her memory in their hearts forever; now,
   2-19  therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas,
   2-21  Regular Session, 1995, hereby pay tribute to the life of Virginia
   2-22  Kelley and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family:
   2-23  to her husband, Richard Kelley; to her sons, President Bill Clinton
   2-24  and Roger Clinton; to her daughters-in-law, Hillary Rodham Clinton
   2-25  and Molly Martin Clinton; to her grandchildren, Chelsea Clinton and
   2-26  Tyler Cassidy Clinton; and to the many other friends and relatives
   2-27  of this extraordinary individual; and, be it further
    3-1        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-2  prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
    3-3  House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
    3-4  memory of Virginia Kelley.