By Willis H.R. No. 428 74R8365 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Chris Miller, an esteemed 1-2 former member of this chamber, on March 11, 1995, at the age of 69, 1-3 has brought a great loss to the many friends and relatives of this 1-4 remarkable woman; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Boston, she was the daughter of a Navy 1-6 chaplain and was well traveled, having grown up in such diverse 1-7 parts of the country as New York and California; and 1-8 WHEREAS, An early marriage prompted her to move to Texas and 1-9 eventually settle in Fort Worth, where she was blessed with two 1-10 fine sons, Jerry and Louis Miller, in whose achievements she took 1-11 great pride; and 1-12 WHEREAS, She launched her political career in the early 1970s 1-13 after several years of working with the League of Women Voters and, 1-14 with her election to the house in 1972, she became the first woman 1-15 from Tarrant County to be sworn in as a state representative; and 1-16 WHEREAS, A longtime champion of women's rights, Ms. Miller 1-17 took pride in being the mini-skirted, cigar-smoking liberal that 1-18 she was, and her brilliance and commitment to making a difference 1-19 during her tenure in office soon earned her a reputation as a 1-20 trailblazer and made her a favorite among conservatives and 1-21 liberals alike; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Having distinguished herself throughout three 1-23 accomplished terms in office, Ms. Miller returned to Fort Worth and 1-24 continued her civic work, offering her former district office to 2-1 The Women's Center of Tarrant County as the site for its new 2-2 center; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Committed to the center's worthy goals, Ms. Miller 2-4 maintained that office for the organization for eight years and 2-5 continued to donate the equivalent of that amount of rent to the 2-6 center after it moved to a new location; and 2-7 WHEREAS, In 1979, she married Dwayne Jose and the couple 2-8 enjoyed a happy and rewarding marriage, during which time she 2-9 turned her passion for travel into another interesting development 2-10 in her multifaceted career when she opened her own travel agency; 2-11 and 2-12 WHEREAS, In all aspects of her life, Chris Miller exemplified 2-13 the highest standards of excellence, dedication, and leadership; 2-14 though her presence is gone from us now, her spirit will long 2-15 endure in the hearts of all who were privileged to know her and in 2-16 the many accomplishments she leaves behind; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Chris Miller and 2-19 extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family: to her 2-20 husband, Dwayne Jose; to her sons, Jerry Miller of Dallas and Louis 2-21 Miller of Colleyville; to her beloved grandchildren; and to her 2-22 many other friends and relatives; and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas 2-25 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-26 former state representative Chris Miller.