By Zbranek H.R. No. 707 74R11145 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The recent passing of Judge Dempsie Henley on April 1-2 16, 1995, has brought a great loss to the many friends and 1-3 relatives of this esteemed Liberty public servant and businessman; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Clark, this exceptional individual's 1-6 forebears were among the state's earliest colonists, having settled 1-7 in the Big Thicket area of north Liberty County in 1835; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Judge Henley answered his country's call to arms 1-9 during World War II, serving the cause of freedom with unflinching 1-10 bravery as a member of the United States Army while stationed in 1-11 France and Germany and earning rapid promotion to become one of the 1-12 Army's youngest first sergeants; and 1-13 WHEREAS, His exemplary record of public service includes four 1-14 consecutive terms as mayor of Liberty, 13 years as chairman of the 1-15 Texas Indian Commission, and four terms as county judge of Liberty 1-16 County, and in each of those difficult and demanding roles he 1-17 labored ceaselessly to provide a brighter future for those he was 1-18 sworn to serve; and 1-19 WHEREAS, During his accomplished tenure as chairman of the 1-20 Texas Indian Commission, Judge Henley championed the development of 1-21 the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation near Livingston as well as 1-22 reservations for the Tigua Tribe in El Paso and the Kickapoo Tribe 1-23 in Eagle Pass; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Renowned for his exceptional business acumen as a 2-1 real estate broker and developer, Judge Henley carried to his 2-2 efforts in the private sector the same tireless work ethic that was 2-3 the hallmark of his endeavors as a public servant; and 2-4 WHEREAS, A talented author, he brought to life the land where 2-5 his family first settled in the highly acclaimed book, The Big 2-6 Thicket Story, and he also penned The Murder of Silence; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Honored as a Man of the Year by the Liberty/Dayton 2-8 Chamber of Commerce, Judge Henley earned many other well-deserved 2-9 accolades during his lifetime of community service, including the 2-10 Trinity Valley Exposition Favorite Son Award, the Veterans of 2-11 Foreign Wars Distinguished Service Award, the Cleveland Chamber of 2-12 Commerce Government Service Award, the People Against a 2-13 Contaminated Environment Outstanding Service Award, and others too 2-14 numerous to mention; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Judge Dempsie Henley was a man of rare talent and 2-16 wisdom; although his presence is gone from us now, his spirit will 2-17 surely live on in the hearts of the many people whose lives he 2-18 touched during his time on this earth; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby honor the life of Judge Dempsie Henley and 2-21 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 2-22 Pat Emanuel Henley; to his children, Scott Henley, Jerry Henley, 2-23 Holly Henley, and Jade Morris; to his sister and brother-in-law, 2-24 Quida and Bill Cauthorn; to his half-brother, Buck Henley; to his 2-25 six grandchildren; and to the many other friends and relatives of 2-26 this beloved gentleman; and, be it further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-2 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-3 Judge Dempsie Henley.