By Greenberg                                           H.R. No. 491

         75R9224 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and many friends of Shirley Wood McPhail

 1-2     were deeply saddened by her passing on March 10, 1997, at the age

 1-3     of 64, and we join them in mourning their loss; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Ms. McPhail received a bachelor's

 1-5     degree in music from The University of Texas and studied dance at

 1-6     the American School of Ballet in New York and Sullins College in

 1-7     Virginia; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, On her graduation from the university, Ms. McPhail

 1-9     embarked on her long and fruitful career as a dance teacher,

1-10     working with Annette Duval's studio before opening her own school

1-11     of dance in 1970; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Three generations of students were introduced to the

1-13     joys of dance by "Miss Shirley," and her remarkable gifts as a

1-14     talented and empathetic teacher continue to shine brightly in the

1-15     lives of her many students; deeply committed to the welfare of her

1-16     young charges, Ms. McPhail was legendary for her ability to recall

1-17     not only the names of her former pupils but also their recital

1-18     routines and costumes; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Ms. McPhail was a vital and valued member of the

1-20     community and gave generously of her time and energy to St.

1-21     David's Episcopal Church, where she served as a Stephen Minister

1-22     and member of the Altar Guild and the handbell choir; she was also

1-23     an eloquent spokesperson for the American Cancer Society; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Throughout her remarkable career, Ms. McPhail drew

 2-1     strength and sustenance from her close-knit and loving family, and

 2-2     they will remember her first and foremost as a devoted wife,

 2-3     mother, and grandmother; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Shirley McPhail's life and work brought great

 2-5     happiness and inspiration to those close to her, and although her

 2-6     presence will be missed, her legacy will live on in the many people

 2-7     whose lives she touched; now, therefore, be it

 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-9     Legislature hereby honor the memory of Shirley Wood McPhail and

2-10     extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her

2-11     husband, Larry McPhail; to her children and their spouses, Edwina

2-12     and Neal Worley, Matthew and Cheryl McPhail, and Kevin and Debra

2-13     Standish; and to her grandchildren, Elizabeth and Kristin Worley,

2-14     Meredith and Ryan McPhail, and Hillary, Barrett, and Broderick

2-15     Standish; and, be it further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas

2-18     House of Representatives adjourns this day it do so in memory of

2-19     Shirley Wood McPhail.