S.C.R. No. 139
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Major General William Edgar Murphy has served both
1-2 his state and his nation with pride and distinction for more than
1-3 40 years, and his exemplary record of service is indeed deserving
1-4 of special legislative recognition; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Lubbock, this dedicated soldier began
1-6 his military career in 1953, when he enlisted in the 132nd Field
1-7 Artillery Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, of the Texas Army
1-8 National Guard; after completing Officer Candidate School at the
1-9 Texas National Guard Academy, he was commissioned as an officer in
1-10 1960; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Highly regarded for his courage, integrity, and
1-12 dedication to duty, he served in a number of leadership positions
1-13 over the years and rose to the rank of brigadier general; he
1-14 assumed command of the 49th Armored Division, headquartered at Camp
1-15 Mabry in Austin, on August 24, 1992, and two years later earned
1-16 promotion to the rank of major general; and
1-17 WHEREAS, In his capacity as commanding general, this esteemed
1-18 officer is responsible for maintaining the 49th Armored Division's
1-19 readiness to perform its missions for the United States and the
1-20 State of Texas; because his troops could be called out at a
1-21 moment's notice in the wake of a natural disaster, civil unrest, or
1-22 any other state or local emergency, General Murphy must prepare the
1-23 men and women under his command for a wide range of circumstances
1-24 and missions, and the health and safety of countless Texans rests
2-1 in his ability to effectively lead the division; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Over the years, General Murphy has been honored for
2-3 his exceptional service with more than a dozen decorations and
2-4 awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army
2-5 Commendation Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, and
2-6 the Texas Medal of Merit, to name but a few; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Despite the demands of his military service, General
2-8 Murphy has earned a bachelor's degree in mechanized agriculture
2-9 from Texas Tech University and has enjoyed a successful civilian
2-10 career as the senior partner of Western Implement Company, a farm
2-11 machinery business based in Lubbock; and
2-12 WHEREAS, General Murphy also devotes much of his time to
2-13 civic and community organizations in Lubbock, where he lives with
2-14 his wife, Ann; his many civic affiliations represent his wide
2-15 variety of interests, and he is currently a member of the Lubbock
2-16 Chamber of Commerce, the Military Order of World Wars, the National
2-17 Federation of Independent Businessmen, the National Sojourners, and
2-18 a number of other fine organizations; and
2-19 WHEREAS, The great honor that General Murphy has brought to
2-20 his native state is indeed worthy of permanent recognition by the
2-21 State of Texas, and the people of Lubbock have expressed their
2-22 desire to honor this distinguished citizen by naming the city's new
2-23 guard/reserve center for General Murphy; although such an honor is
2-24 usually reserved for deceased individuals, General Murphy's
2-25 remarkable service record and the wishes of the citizens of Lubbock
2-26 merit immediate action by the members of the Texas House of
2-27 Representatives and Senate; now, therefore, be it
3-1 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-2 hereby honor Major General William Edgar Murphy of the Texas Army
3-3 National Guard for his many years of outstanding service to his
3-4 state and nation; and, be it further
3-5 RESOLVED, That the Texas Army National Guard/Reserve Center
3-6 located in Lubbock be named the William Edgar Murphy Guard/Reserve
3-7 Center in honor of this illustrious soldier; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for General Murphy as an expression of high regard by the
3-10 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.