1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 748

 1-3                                  In Memory

 1-4                                     of

 1-5                                W. G. Kirklin

 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens

 1-7     of Austin and Texans across the state in mourning the loss of

 1-8     W. G. "Cotton" Kirklin, who died May 7, 1997, at the age of 85; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Born February 4, 1912, in Mooringsport, Louisiana,

1-10     W. G. Kirklin moved to Texas and graduated from Baylor University

1-11     in 1935; he served in the United States Army during World War II

1-12     and earned the rank of captain; following the war, he returned to

1-13     Texas and pursued his interest in drilling and farming; he was a

1-14     partner in Kirklin and Kirklin Drilling Company; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Active in the Democratic Party all of his life,

1-16     Cotton Kirklin was elected to the Texas House of Representatives,

1-17     where he served as a representative for Ector and Winkler

1-18     counties from 1953 to 1957; he attended numerous state and

1-19     national conventions as a delegate and campaigned for a number

1-20     of Democratic officeholders; and

1-21           WHEREAS, A highly talented individual with wide-ranging

1-22     expertise, W. G. Kirklin held several important positions in

1-23     state government; he was appointed to the board for Texas State

 2-1     Hospitals and Special Schools by Governor Allan Shivers and

 2-2     Governor Price Daniel, and he served for 12 years as the assistant

 2-3     commissioner of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental

 2-4     Retardation; he served as chairman of the Texas Health Facilities

 2-5     Commission from 1983 to 1986; and

 2-6           WHEREAS, An exemplary and distinguished gentleman,

 2-7     Mr. Kirklin was respected for his effective leadership and

 2-8     his many accomplishments and was admired by his colleagues in

 2-9     politics and state government; and

2-10           WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he

2-11     gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom, warmth,

2-12     and valued counsel will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and

2-13           WHEREAS, He had a host of friends and was a dedicated family

2-14     man; his wife of 50 years, Opal Mae L. Kirklin, preceded him in

2-15     death in 1989; and

2-16           WHEREAS, W. G. Kirklin was a devoted husband, father,

2-17     and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be

2-18     treasured forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore,

2-19     be it

2-20           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-21     75th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the

2-22     bereaved family of W. G. Kirklin:  his sons, Layton Kirklin and

2-23     Donald Frank Kirklin; and his grandchildren, Joseph Connell Kirklin,

2-24     Mrs. Mark McMahan, Bradley Kirklin, and Meaghan Kirklin; and, be it

2-25     further

 3-1           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the

 3-2     members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from

 3-3     the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it

 3-4     do so in memory of W. G. "Cotton" Kirklin.

 3-5                                                              Barrientos

 3-6                                  ______________________________________

 3-7                                         President of the Senate

 3-8                                       I hereby certify that the above

 3-9                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

3-10                                  on May 15, 1997, by a rising vote.

3-11                                  ______________________________________

3-12                                         Secretary of the Senate

3-13                                  ______________________________________

3-14                                           Member, Texas Senate