R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Joseph "Joe" Chisum on
1-2 January 8, 1999, at the age of 77, has brought a great loss to the
1-3 many friends and relatives of this beloved gentleman; and
1-4 WHEREAS, He was born on September 13, 1921, on the Chisum
1-5 Ranch in Leakey; as a member of the armed services, he proudly
1-6 served his country with distinction during World War II and again
1-7 during the Korean Conflict; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Chisum and the former Jo Dell Brice were united
1-9 in marriage on January 12, 1948, and they enjoyed a close and happy
1-10 relationship for 51 years until his passing; the couple were
1-11 blessed with two sons and through the years welcomed four grandsons
1-12 into their close-knit family; and
1-13 WHEREAS, With his wife, he established the J. H. Chisum
1-14 Construction Company, and for many years the couple successfully
1-15 operated that business, in addition to their ranch and an auto
1-16 supply store they owned; and
1-17 WHEREAS, This deeply respected leader was devoted to the
1-18 betterment of his community and served on the Leakey City Council
1-19 before being elected mayor; during his quarter-century in the top
1-20 administrative post, Mr. Chisum was instrumental in the repeal of
1-21 the city tax on residential electric bills, and he consistently
1-22 worked in behalf of the citizens to keep rates low for electric,
1-23 water, and garbage service; in addition, he was able to maintain
1-24 city functions without residents having to be assessed property
2-1 taxes; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Mayor Chisum ably guided numerous development and
2-3 upgrade projects through the years that benefited the city's
2-4 waterworks and water storage system, courthouse, American Legion
2-5 Hall and Nutrition Center, telephone service, emergency medical
2-6 system, library, and street paving program and the county landfill;
2-7 and
2-8 WHEREAS, This noteworthy gentleman contributed his time and
2-9 energy to many worthy endeavors in his community; he served as a
2-10 director of the Bank of Frio Canyon from its inception and was a
2-11 member of the Leakey school board, the Rio Grande Community
2-12 Council, the American Legion, Leakey Eagle Booster Club, PTO,
2-13 Leakey Lions Club, and the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce; he was
2-14 voted Citizen of the Year in 1985; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Those who were privileged to share the friendship of
2-16 Joe Chisum will long miss his presence, and he will surely be
2-17 remembered with great affection and admiration for many years to
2-18 come; now, therefore, be it
2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-20 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Joseph "Joe" Chisum and
2-21 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
2-22 Jo Dell Chisum; to his sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and
2-23 Patricia Chisum and Billy Ray and Molly Chisum; to his brothers,
2-24 Talbert Chisum and Carl Chisum; to his grandsons, Kevin, Scott,
2-25 Billy Joe Ray, and Banks Chisum; and to the many other friends and
2-26 relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further
2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-1 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-2 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-3 the Honorable Joseph Chisum.
Turner of Coleman
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 642 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 16, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House