H.R. No. 287 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of George Alton Parker on August 1-2 28, 1994, at the age of 79, has brought a great loss to the many 1-3 friends and relatives of this esteemed Fort Worth resident; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born in Provo, Utah, he was graduated from the 1-5 University of Utah as a young man and continued his higher 1-6 education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., 1-7 where he earned his law degree; and 1-8 WHEREAS, This outstanding patriot answered his country's call 1-9 to duty in her darkest hour, serving the cause of freedom with 1-10 unflinching bravery during World War II as a Navy gunnery officer 1-11 in both the North Atlantic and South Pacific; and 1-12 WHEREAS, After relocating with his family to Fort Worth in 1-13 1951, he continued his career as an attorney for the United States 1-14 Department of Housing and Urban Development and, during his 1-15 four-decade tenure at that agency, set standards of excellence to 1-16 which all public servants could aspire; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Parker was a tireless and articulate champion 1-18 for the rights of older Texans, and he selflessly devoted his time 1-19 and energies to many vital projects in their behalf; among his 1-20 notable achievements in this regard were the creation of an annual 1-21 flu shot campaign for senior citizens and the founding of the 1-22 Senior Citizens Alliance of Tarrant County; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Determined to speak for those whose voices might 1-24 otherwise go unheard, he took an active role in espousing concern 2-1 for the needs of persons with mental retardation and other mental 2-2 disabilities and served with the utmost distinction as president of 2-3 the Texas Association for the Mentally Retarded; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Among the many other worthy organizations that 2-5 benefited immeasurably from his dynamic presence were the National 2-6 Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Texas Bar 2-7 Association, and the American Association of Retired Persons; and 2-8 WHEREAS, George Alton Parker was a man of rare integrity and 2-9 compassion; although his wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed 2-10 by all who knew him, his remarkable spirit will surely live on in 2-11 the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched; now, 2-12 therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of George Alton Parker 2-15 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-16 wife of 57 years, Ann B. Parker of Fort Worth; to his children, 2-17 John B. Parker of Addison, Patricia Anne Parker of Mexia, and 2-18 Deborah Gay Parker of Fort Worth; to his brother, Thomas O. Parker 2-19 of Salt Lake City; to his sister, Dorothy Parker Hansen of Salt 2-20 Lake City; to his two granddaughters; and to the many other friends 2-21 and relatives of this distinguished Texan; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-24 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-25 George Alton Parker.