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