H.R. No. 535 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The State of Texas has lost a distinguished native 1-2 son with the passing of the Honorable David Ratliff on March 21, 1-3 1995, at the age of 82; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A West Texas lawmaker for more than two decades, he 1-5 gave generously of his insight and expertise to benefit the 1-6 citizens of this state throughout his lifetime, and his vast 1-7 accomplishments have had a profound impact on the state he was 1-8 proud to call home; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Born in Decatur, he graduated from Haskell High 1-10 School and pursued his higher education as a student at Austin 1-11 College and the school that is known today as the University of 1-12 North Texas; and 1-13 WHEREAS, In 1950, he began his remarkable tenure in public 1-14 office with his election to a seat in the Texas House of 1-15 Representatives; after two successful terms, he was elected to the 1-16 senate by the constituents of District 24 in a special election 1-17 and, for the next 18 years, made it a point to remain attuned to 1-18 the needs of communities throughout his entire vast district, which 1-19 stretched from Garza and Young counties in the north to Glasscock 1-20 and Coleman counties in the south; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Senator Ratliff's extensive achievements in behalf 1-22 of the citizens of his district earned him the respect and 1-23 admiration of area residents, who gladly welcomed him home to West 1-24 Texas following his retirement from the senate in 1972; and 2-1 WHEREAS, In all aspects of his life, Senator Ratliff 2-2 demonstrated unfailing wisdom, graciousness, and dedication to that 2-3 which he knew to be right; though his presence will be deeply 2-4 missed by all who were privileged to know him, the spirit of this 2-5 accomplished Texan will surely live on in his impressive legacy of 2-6 achievement; now, therefore, be it 2-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-8 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Senator David Ratliff 2-9 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his 2-10 wife, Priscilla Ratliff of Stamford; to his children, Lynnora 2-11 Ratliff of Dallas and John Ratliff of Austin; to his seven beloved 2-12 grandchildren; to his sisters, Frances Pearson of Orange and Lynn 2-13 Pace of Haskell; and to the many other friends and relatives of 2-14 this fine man; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-17 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-18 the Honorable David Ratliff.