By Hunter                                             H.R. No. 1186

         75R16368 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The recent passing of Darrel Knight on May 19, 1997,

 1-2     at the age of 73, has brought a great loss to the family and many

 1-3     friends of this noteworthy gentleman; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born in Yocona, Mississippi, Mr. Knight became a

 1-5     resident of Abilene in 1946 and was a graduate of Hardin-Simmons

 1-6     University; he began his career in public accounting in 1948, and

 1-7     three years later he established his own firm; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, A former president of the Abilene School Board,

 1-9     Mr. Knight served on that body from 1972 to 1981, when the city was

1-10     in a transitional period due to the oil boom; the district was

1-11     growing rapidly during this time, and Mr. Knight kept a constant

1-12     eye on the bottom line as he struggled, and ultimately succeeded,

1-13     in keeping taxpayers' costs down; and

1-14           WHEREAS, The founding director of Abilene National Bank,

1-15     Mr. Knight was a fixture in the Abilene banking community;

1-16     following his tenure on the school board, he served as chairman of

1-17     the board, chief executive officer, and president of Security State

1-18     Bank from 1981 to 1988; and

1-19           WHEREAS, This commendable individual devoted a great deal of

1-20     time to serving the citizens of Abilene; he was president of the

1-21     Abilene Boys Ranch and the Victory Men's Bible Class and chaired

1-22     the Abilene Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Committee and served

1-23     on its Military Affairs Committee; and

1-24           WHEREAS, A lifetime member of the National Parent-Teacher

 2-1     Association, Mr. Knight was also a member of the Friends of the

 2-2     Abilene Public Library, the Texas Society of CPAs, the American

 2-3     Institute of CPAs, and the Abilene Kiwanis Club; in addition, he

 2-4     served on the board of directors of the Abilene Committee for

 2-5     Autistic Citizens; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, Darrel Knight was known for his forthrightness and

 2-7     his great dedication to the betterment of his community; although

 2-8     his friendship and guidance will be missed by all who knew him, his

 2-9     spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many

2-10     people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-12     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Darrel Knight and

2-13     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his

2-14     daughters, Suzanne and Dee Ann; to his son, Darrel; to his brother

2-15     and sister-in-law, Harold and Mildred Knight; to his brother,

2-16     Jimmie Knight; and to the many other relatives and friends of this

2-17     esteemed gentleman; and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-20     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-21     Darrel Knight.