By Seaman                                        H.R. No. 167

      75R5365 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Ralph W. Burgess, on his 67th

 1-2     birthday, has brought a great loss to the many friends and

 1-3     relatives of this esteemed Edna resident; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born January 26, 1930, to Vernon and Irma Burgess,

 1-5     he attended Texas A&M University and earned a degree in

 1-6     agricultural education from that fine institution; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess was an exemplary patriot and served his

 1-8     nation with distinction for two years during the Korean War as a

 1-9     second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Transportation Division; and

1-10           WHEREAS, On completing his military service, he moved to

1-11     Brazos County, and while there he worked closely with the 4-H and

1-12     Youth Rodeo Association as an assistant county agent; he served as

1-13     manager of the Wharton County Chamber of Commerce from 1957 to

1-14     1965, and his tenure in that demanding position was marked by the

1-15     successful establishment of the Industrial Foundation and the

1-16     Industrial Park; and

1-17           WHEREAS, After moving to neighboring Jackson County,

1-18     Mr. Burgess took a position as a sales manager at Wells-Wright,

1-19     Inc., Ready Mix Concrete Co., where he was a valued employee from

1-20     1965 to 1972, and he went on to become a highly successful sales

1-21     representative for Kaiser Cement Corp., from 1972 until his

1-22     retirement from the company in 1985; in addition, this dynamic

1-23     individual was the owner of Burgess Realty in Edna from 1986 to

1-24     1989; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, He was a guiding force on the Jackson County Chamber

 2-2     of Commerce and Agriculture for many years, and provided visionary

 2-3     leadership as a member of that organization's board of directors

 2-4     from 1970 to 1976, and as president from 1972 to 1973; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, A true pillar of the community, he devoted his time

 2-6     and energy to the service of fellow citizens in such varied

 2-7     capacities as president and organizer of the Youth Builders, vice

 2-8     president and manager of the Jackson County Industrial Foundation,

 2-9     and president of the Edna Rotary Club; he also served on the

2-10     planning commission and the recreation committee for the City of

2-11     Edna and as director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association;

2-12     and

2-13           WHEREAS, Mr. Burgess received many well-deserved accolades

2-14     for his efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens, including

2-15     "Outstanding Man of the Year" in recognition of his youth and

2-16     community work, and "Rotarian of the Year" for 1991 to 1992; and

2-17           WHEREAS, Ralph W. Burgess was a man of rare dedication and

2-18     compassion; although his warmth and wisdom are gone from us now,

2-19     his remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many

2-20     whose lives he touched during his time on this earth; now,

2-21     therefore, be it

2-22           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-23     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ralph W. Burgess and

2-24     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

2-25     Joan Burgess; to his daughters, Lorrie Sampson and Lisa Gayle Wyer;

2-26     to his sister, Betty Jo Stewart; to his aunt, Nina McConnell; to

2-27     his four grandchildren; and to the many other friends and relatives

 3-1     of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further

 3-2           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 3-3     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

 3-4     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 3-5     Ralph W.  Burgess.