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.