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.