By Counts                                              H.R. No. 535
       74R9140 PAN-D
                                  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.