By Keel                                               H.R. No. 1349

         75R17514 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Arleigh E. Duff on July 4, 1996, at

 1-2     the age of 72, brought a great loss to the many friends, relatives,

 1-3     and fans of this esteemed musical personality; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born March 28, 1924, in Nederland, Texas, to

 1-5     Adolphus and Luezelle Duff, he earned his degree from Stephen F.

 1-6     Austin State University and was a teacher and basketball coach in

 1-7     the communities of Deweyville and Warren; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Mr. Duff was a patriotic Texan who served his nation

 1-9     with distinction during the dark and uncertain days of World War II

1-10     as a member of the U.S. Navy; and

1-11           WHEREAS, A talented musician and songwriter, he penned and

1-12     recorded "Y'all Come" in 1952, and the song quickly became a

1-13     standard in the repertoires of such respected artists as Bing

1-14     Crosby, Pattie Page, Glen Campbell, George Jones, Bobby Vinton, and

1-15     Faron Young; in all, more than 50 artists recorded versions of the

1-16     song, and in 1957 "Y'all Come" was singled out as the most recorded

1-17     country song in the nation; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Two other songs written by Mr. Duff also appeared on

1-19     the Billboard charts; Sonny James's performance of "It's the Little

1-20     Things" soared to No. 1 in 1968, and "Another Story, Another Time,

1-21     Another Place" was a hit for Ernest Tubb; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Mr. Duff's fame was further broadened when he toured

1-23     with the Grand Ole Opry, and during that time he delighted

1-24     audiences in 48 states and throughout Canada with his unique and

 2-1     memorable singing performances; in addition, he was a regular

 2-2     member of Red Foley's Ozark Jubilee; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Mr. Duff was also associated with country music as a

 2-4     popular disc jockey over the course of 25 years, and in 1983 he

 2-5     published his appropriately titled memoir, Y'all Come; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, Relocating to Woodbury, Connecticut, in 1985, he

 2-7     returned to coaching as the basketball coach of Woodbury Middle

 2-8     School and was highly successful during his eight years in that

 2-9     capacity; and

2-10           WHEREAS, Arleigh E. Duff was a man of rare talent and

2-11     generosity; although his warmth and wisdom are gone from us now,

2-12     his remarkable spirit will surely live on in the hearts of the many

2-13     people whose lives he touched during his time on this earth; now,

2-14     therefore, be it

2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-16     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Arleigh E. Duff and

2-17     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,

2-18     Nancy Duff; to his children and their spouses, Kelly and Sheila

2-19     Duff, Becky and Steve Rippy, Danny and Diane Duff, Kristy and

2-20     Andrew Wallace, Joey and Stacie Duff, Arleigh Duff II, Brandy Duff,

2-21     and Rachel Duff; to his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Jack

2-22     Faris; to his eight grandchildren; to his two nephews; and to the

2-23     many other friends and relatives of this beloved gentleman; and, be

2-24     it further

2-25           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-26     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-27     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 3-1     Arleigh E. Duff.