By McReynolds                                        H.C.R. No. 174
         76R7998 GMW-D                           
                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, Ward Rankin Burke has long been one of the Lone Star
 1-2     State's outstanding citizens, and in light of his many years of
 1-3     hard work and diligent community service he is truly worthy of
 1-4     special recognition; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Burke graduated from Lufkin High
 1-6     School in 1933 and attended Stephen F. Austin State University and
 1-7     The University of Texas at Austin, earning a law degree from The
 1-8     University of Texas School of Law in 1939; he established a general
 1-9     law practice in Houston and Lufkin and from 1942 to 1946 served
1-10     with the United States Marine Corps; and
1-11           WHEREAS, A former district attorney and partner in the law
1-12     firm of Burke & Leach, this esteemed gentleman served as vice
1-13     president-law of Temple-Eastex, Incorporated, from 1978 to 1983,
1-14     and has been a trustee and executive of the T.L.L. Temple
1-15     Foundation; and
1-16           WHEREAS, A true humanitarian, Mr. Burke has long been a
1-17     champion of the rights and needs of persons served by mental health
1-18     and mental retardation organizations; and
1-19           WHEREAS, He was a board member of the Texas Department of
1-20     Mental Health and Mental Retardation and its predecessor, the Board
1-21     of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools; he is a co-founder
1-22     and former president of the Association for Retarded Citizens of
1-23     Angelina County and was a driving force to create the Lufkin State
1-24     School; he was also active with the Texas Mental Health Planning
 2-1     Council; Lufkin Workshop and Opportunity Center, Incorporated;
 2-2     Citizens for Human Development; Association for Retarded Citizens
 2-3     of Texas; Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities;
 2-4     and the Tri-Ethnic Committee for Lufkin Independent School
 2-5     District; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, He is a co-organizer, past president, and member of
 2-7     the board of directors of the Texas Council of Community MH/MR
 2-8     Centers, Inc., and a co-founder of Deep East Texas Regional Mental
 2-9     Health and Mental Retardation Services, which was later renamed the
2-10     Burke Center, and served on its board of trustees from 1974 to 1995
2-11     and as chairman from 1974 to 1979; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Mr. Burke's impressive record of community service
2-13     also includes participation in the Angelina County Chamber of
2-14     Commerce, Angelina County Citizens Chamber of Commerce, First
2-15     United Methodist Church in Lufkin, Kiwanis Club, American Civil
2-16     Liberties Union, National Conference of Christians and Jews, and
2-17     Lufkin Independent School District; and
2-18           WHEREAS, Mr. Burke continues to draw strength and inspiration
2-19     from his devoted wife of 56 years, the former Anna Belle Dill, and
2-20     his  children, Barbara Ann Smith, Marilyn Ruth Burke, and Betsy
2-21     Elaine Burke; and
2-22           WHEREAS, Mr. Burke is a distinguished man of ability and
2-23     integrity, and it is fitting that he be honored for his many
2-24     accomplishments and his truly commendable efforts on behalf of
2-25     others; now, therefore, be it
2-26           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-27     hereby honor Ward Rankin Burke for his remarkable legacy of service
 3-1     to his fellow Texans and extend to him sincere best wishes for
 3-2     continued success and happiness; and, be it further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 3-4     prepared for Mr. Burke as an expression of high regard by the Texas
 3-5     House of Representatives and Senate.