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.