By: Nixon S.R. No. 1069
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is honored to
1-3 recognize Miss Margie Neal, the first woman to serve in the
1-4 Texas Senate, for the important contributions she made to her
1-5 state and its citizens; and
1-6 WHEREAS, One of the most illustrious citizens of
1-7 Panola County, she was born on April 20, 1875, in Carthage;
1-8 from her early years, her life was marked with achievements and
1-9 accomplishments that even by today's standards are remarkable;
1-10 Miss Neal became the first woman member of the first Democratic
1-11 Executive Committee in 1918, and two years later, when women were
1-12 first allowed to serve as delegates, she became a delegate to the
1-13 Democratic National Convention; and
1-14 WHEREAS, Miss Neal's decision to run for the Texas Senate
1-15 was based on her interest in public education; she was serving
1-16 on the board of regents for the state colleges which had just lost
1-17 an effort to obtain passage of legislation that would raise the
1-18 state's educational standards when she decided to run for the
1-19 Senate; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Margie Neal made the race for a Senate seat for
1-21 the 40th Legislature with no outside financial help; during her
1-22 two terms in the Texas Senate, Miss Neal earned the respect and
1-23 appreciation of her colleagues for her hard work and intelligence;
2-1 her dedication to the education system of Texas was rewarded when
2-2 she was named Vice-Chairman of the Educational Affairs Committee;
2-3 and
2-4 WHEREAS, Noted for her charm and graciousness as well as
2-5 her political acumen, Miss Neal served two terms and worked in
2-6 the Roosevelt administration as head of the women's section of
2-7 the National Recovery Administration and the women's section of
2-8 the Social Security Administration; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Homesick for Texas, she asked for a transfer and
2-10 for a time worked in San Antonio; at the beginning of 1945 she
2-11 returned home to Carthage and enjoyed taking on a multitude of
2-12 civic duties; and
2-13 WHEREAS, On June 16, 1952, national and state political
2-14 leaders converged on Carthage to pay their respects on
2-15 Margie E. Neal Appreciation Day; more than a thousand of her
2-16 friends came from all over Texas to hear Governor Allan Shivers,
2-17 United States Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, and others extol her
2-18 lifetime of public service; and
2-19 WHEREAS, Until her death in 1971, Miss Neal remained a
2-20 highly esteemed and beloved figure in Panola County; her wise
2-21 counsel was often sought on matters both personal and political;
2-22 and
2-23 WHEREAS, A standard-bearer for equal opportunity for women,
2-24 Miss Neal should be remembered throughout the state with respect
2-25 and gratitute; now, therefore, be it
3-1 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-2 74th Legislature, hereby commend the life of service of the
3-3 first woman Texas Senator and honor her memory; and, be it further
3-4 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared
3-5 for Panola County as an expression of the high regard of the
3-6 Texas Senate.
3-7 ______________________________________
3-8 President of the Senate
3-9 I hereby certify that the above
3-10 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-11 on May 15, 1995.
3-12 ______________________________________
3-13 Secretary of the Senate
3-14 ______________________________________
3-15 Member, Texas Senate