By Finnell H.R. No. 25
75R1398 JHS-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Dave Allred on
1-2 September 8, 1996, at the age of 62, has brought a great loss to
1-3 the people of Texas and to the many friends and relatives of this
1-4 admirable individual; and
1-5 WHEREAS, The son of former Texas Governor James V. Allred and
1-6 Joe Betsy Allred, he was born in Austin on November 27, 1933, and
1-7 as a young man attended Texas Christian University, where he earned
1-8 a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1955; six years later he
1-9 received a master's degree from New York's Columbia University and
1-10 soon began working for a series of newspapers, including the
1-11 Houston Post's Washington bureau and the Wichita Falls Times and
1-12 Record-News; and
1-13 WHEREAS, Blessed with keen insight, a quick wit, and an
1-14 understanding of the plight of the common man, Mr. Allred was
1-15 creating a name for himself as a journalist in Wichita Falls when
1-16 his local representative resigned; he conferred with his family
1-17 and, after receiving their support, made a successful run for the
1-18 office of state representative of District 13 in 1966; and
1-19 WHEREAS, This first political victory became a defining
1-20 moment in the Allreds' lives; firm in his opinion that the
1-21 financial burden that often accompanied public service was worth
1-22 the sacrifice, Mr. Allred sometimes lived in his office at the
1-23 Capitol in an effort to save money that would otherwise go toward
1-24 rent; and
2-1 WHEREAS, In his first term as a legislator, Mr. Allred drew
2-2 appointments to the prestigious House Appropriations Committee and
2-3 the committees on education and mental health; he later served on
2-4 the Health and Welfare Commission, the Committee on Business and
2-5 Industry, and the Committee on Social Services; and
2-6 WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, Mr. Allred further distinguished
2-7 himself as an outspoken advocate of ethics reform; he was quick to
2-8 recognize that his duty as a legislator went beyond passing bills
2-9 and that he could and should use his position to defeat unethical
2-10 and unfair legislation; and
2-11 WHEREAS, Representative Allred's 14 years as a legislator
2-12 came to a close in 1980, and at that time he began adding new
2-13 chapters to his already rich life; Mr. Allred had become a
2-14 certified attorney in 1978, and he later spent four years as an
2-15 assistant attorney general under Jim Mattox; he also practiced as a
2-16 minister, having been licensed in 1970 by the Disciples of Christ,
2-17 and was eventually drawn to a teaching position in Virginia, where
2-18 he was able to combine his legendary gift for communication with
2-19 his vast political experience; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Throughout his exceptional life, Dave Allred earned
2-21 the respect and admiration of all who were privileged to know him;
2-22 a man of great character, determination, and courage, his memory
2-23 will surely live on through the lasting legacy of achievement he
2-24 leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
2-25 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas
2-26 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and service of the
2-27 Honorable Dave Allred and extend deepest sympathy to the members of
3-1 his family: to his wife, Patricia Lee Allred; to his daughter,
3-2 Rebecca Lee Allred Bartley; to his sons, Stephen David Allred and
3-3 James Moyer Allred; to his two grandchildren; and to the other
3-4 friends and relatives of this distinguished gentleman; and, be it
3-5 further
3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-7 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-8 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-9 former State Representative Dave Allred.