H.R. No. 440
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Richard D. Hill, Jr., on May 6, 1994,
1-2 at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to the many friends and
1-3 relatives of this distinguished and public-spirited Texan; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Hill will be fondly remembered as a loving
1-5 husband, a devoted father and grandfather, a loyal friend, and an
1-6 upstanding member of the Fort Worth community who demonstrated an
1-7 exemplary concern for the well-being of others; and
1-8 WHEREAS, A World War II veteran, he went on to distinguish
1-9 himself in his community through his career with the Tarrant County
1-10 Welfare Department; a certified social worker, he received a series
1-11 of promotions to become the department's first African-American
1-12 supervisor; and
1-13 WHEREAS, He was well regarded throughout his chosen field for
1-14 his professionalism, expertise, and dedication, and was appointed
1-15 to the Fort Worth Commission on Mental Retardation by Mayor Bayard
1-16 H. Friedman in 1965; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Hill continued to work for the betterment of his
1-18 community through his exemplary civic involvement, and as secretary
1-19 of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Branch of the National Association
1-20 for the Advancement of Colored People, he worked tirelessly to
1-21 ensure equal opportunities for all residents of the community; in
1-22 recognition of the many significant contributions he had made to
1-23 the organization, he was honored with its Outstanding Service Award
1-24 in the field of civil rights in 1977 and was made a life member in
2-1 1990; and
2-2 WHEREAS, He was a man of many diverse talents and interests
2-3 who offered wise and thoughtful guidance as a board member of the
2-4 Fort Worth Economic Development Corporation; in addition, this
2-5 eloquent and articulate gentleman addressed audiences on a wide
2-6 variety of social issues at various community forums; and
2-7 WHEREAS, In recognition of the many significant contributions
2-8 he had made to the Fort Worth community, Mr. Hill was honored with
2-9 the Humanitarian Service Award from Phi Delta Kappa National
2-10 Sorority and also received a Certificate of Appreciation from Meals
2-11 on Wheels for five years of outstanding service; and
2-12 WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished lifetime, Mr. Hill was
2-13 nurtured by an abiding religious faith; he eloquently expressed his
2-14 deep religious convictions as a devout member of Antioch Missionary
2-15 Baptist Church, where he was a charter member, deacon, trustee,
2-16 and announcing clerk; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Hill was a man of great vision whose many
2-18 significant contributions to the city of Fort Worth will continue
2-19 to have a profound effect on the members of that community for
2-20 years to come; though his special presence will be deeply missed by
2-21 all who knew him, his unique spirit will surely live on in the
2-22 hearts and minds of the many people whose lives were touched by
2-23 this remarkable gentleman; now, therefore, be it
2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
2-25 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard D. Hill, Jr.,
2-26 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-27 beloved wife of 48 years, Dr. Armentha Elliott Hill; to his
3-1 daughter, Linda Dianne Hollie; to his son, Richard D. Hill III; to
3-2 his granddaughters, Kenya Dyan Miller and Maiya Nicole Hollie; to
3-3 his five sisters, Mable Powell, Ardelia Reed, Lenora
3-4 Starks-Turnipseed, Amanda Calvin, and Maudie Thompson; and to his
3-5 many other friends and relatives; and, be it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-7 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-8 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-9 Richard D. Hill, Jr.