1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 614

 1-3                                  In Memory

 1-4                                     of

 1-5                         The Honorable Tom Creighton

 1-6           WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost one of its most beloved public

 1-7     figures with the passing of retired State Senator Tom Creighton,

 1-8     who died on April 28, 1997, at the age of 70; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, A man of legendary stature who served his state and

1-10     his nation throughout his adult years, Tom Creighton led an exemplary

1-11     life, and his contributions to Texas ranged from legislative

1-12     leadership to civic and charitable involvement; and

1-13           WHEREAS, Born in Mineral Wells, Texas, on February 26, 1927,

1-14     to Roy and Flora Creighton, Tom attended public school and graduated

1-15     in 1944; after courageously serving his country in the United States

1-16     Navy until the end of World War II, he entered law school at

1-17     The University of Texas, where he earned his law degree; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Tom Creighton returned home in 1950 to join his

1-19     father and brother in their law practice; after his marriage to

1-20     Sue Sparks, he became a devoted husband and loving father to his

1-21     three sons, Thomas, Kenneth, and Mark; he was elected county

1-22     attorney in 1952 and held that position for eight years; after his

1-23     election to represent District 22 in the Texas Senate in 1960, the

 2-1     esteemed attorney continued his political career that would last

 2-2     until his retirement following the 66th legislative session; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, Personally familiar with the problems of his

 2-4     primarily rural district, which was composed of 17 North Texas

 2-5     counties, Senator Creighton had chosen ranching as an avocation

 2-6     and he knew firsthand the needs of his constituents; during his

 2-7     18 years as a conservative leader of the Senate, he was active in

 2-8     sponsoring and supporting major legislation on topics ranging from

 2-9     higher education and student tuition to state election laws and

2-10     water conservation; and

2-11           WHEREAS, During his tenure, Senator Creighton was one of the

2-12     most effective legislators in office and served on many of the major

2-13     senate committees; he provided visionary leadership while serving

2-14     as chairman of the committees on Economic Development, Finance,

2-15     Game and Fish, Election Law, and Natural Resources, and as a member

2-16     of the Legislative Budget Board; and

2-17           WHEREAS, A kind and compassionate man who was admired as a

2-18     lawyer and loved as a friend, Tom Creighton earned the respect of

2-19     his fellow senators who honored him during the 59th Legislature

2-20     when he was elected president pro tempore of the Senate; and

2-21           WHEREAS, While serving in the Texas Senate, Tom ran a

2-22     successful cable television business and was awarded the John Mankin

2-23     Award for outstanding pioneer work in the field in 1980; his

2-24     dedication to Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, and Texas brought

2-25     him numerous honors; and

 3-1           WHEREAS, In addition to his important legislative work,

 3-2     Senator Creighton served as president of the Mineral Wells Jaycees

 3-3     and as their national director; he was a past president of the Lions

 3-4     Club and Palo Pinto County United Way, and was on the executive

 3-5     board of the American Legion Post 75 for 17 years; and

 3-6           WHEREAS, Senator Creighton enjoyed life and loved music; he

 3-7     learned to play the piano by ear and often entertained friends

 3-8     impromptu by playing and singing for them; in 1990 he married

 3-9     Mary Evans and his family grew with the addition of three

3-10     stepchildren; and

3-11           WHEREAS, The passing of such a fine gentleman, citizen, and

3-12     friend has brought sorrow to all who were privileged to know this

3-13     honorable Texan; now, therefore, be it

3-14           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

3-15     75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family

3-16     of Thomas William Creighton:  his wife, Mary; his sons and

3-17     daughters-in-law, Thomas William Creighton, Jr., Kenneth Roy and

3-18     Kay Creighton, and Mark Gregory and Mildred Creighton; his stepsons,

3-19     Captain Robert Clayton Evans and Lieutenant Lee H. Evans; his

3-20     stepdaughter, Mary Michelle Evans; his grandchildren, Carly, Emily,

3-21     Ben, Parker, and Martha Creighton; and his brother,

3-22     John Roy Creighton, Jr.; and, be it further

3-23           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his

3-24     family as an expression of profound regret from the Texas Senate,

3-25     and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

 4-1     Thomas William Creighton.

 4-2                                                                  Sibley

 4-3                                  ______________________________________

 4-4                                          President of the Senate

 4-5                                       I hereby certify that the above

 4-6                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

 4-7                                  on April 30, 1997, by a rising vote.

 4-8                                  ______________________________________

 4-9                                          Secretary of the Senate

4-10                                  ______________________________________

4-11                                           Member, Texas Senate