R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Joe Madison Kilgore on 1-2 February 10, 1999, at the age of 80, has brought a great loss to 1-3 the family and many friends of this notable Texan; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Born in Brown County and raised in the Rio Grande 1-5 Valley, Mr. Kilgore graduated from The University of Texas at 1-6 Austin and its school of law; while attending college, he worked in 1-7 the campaigns of then-United States Representative Lyndon B. 1-8 Johnson and began a long association as a friend and advisor; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Lifelong friendships with J. J. "Jake" Pickle and 1-10 John Connally developed from their collaboration as leaders of a 1-11 University of Texas law fraternity, and the close-knit trio fondly 1-12 referred to themselves ever after as "tres amigos" and created 1-13 their own unique greeting for each other; they became active in 1-14 campus politics, winning three successive presidencies of the UT 1-15 student body; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In 1941, Mr. Kilgore joined the Air Corps and served 1-17 his country with valor during World War II, flying dozens of 1-18 missions in the Mediterranean, and for his heroic efforts, he was 1-19 awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross; he attained 1-20 the rank of lieutenant colonel and later achieved the rank of major 1-21 general in the Air Force Reserves; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Kilgore and the former Jane Redman were united 1-23 in marriage in 1945 and enjoyed a happy and close relationship that 1-24 was blessed with four children; over the years, their family 2-1 welcomed the addition of six grandchildren; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Following World War II, this highly respected 2-3 gentleman practiced law in Edinburg until his election to the Texas 2-4 House of Representatives, in which he served from 1947 until 1954; 2-5 he then was elected to the United States House of Representatives, 2-6 succeeding his boyhood friend, Lloyd Bentsen, and he spent a decade 2-7 representing the Rio Grande Valley's 15th Congressional District 2-8 before relocating to Austin and joining the law firm that later 2-9 became McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Mr. Kilgore's commitment to his community 2-11 encompassed volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as 2-12 a board member of Scott & White Hospital in Temple since 1984 and 2-13 as a regent of The University of Texas System from 1967 to 1973 as 2-14 well as guiding the UT Ex-Students Association as president from 2-15 1994 to 1995; through the years, his many deserved accolades 2-16 included being named a Distinguished UT Alumnus in 1982 and 2-17 Austin's Distinguished Citizen in 1987; and 2-18 WHEREAS, Well-known for his integrity, high ideals, and 2-19 eloquence, Mr. Kilgore was called "the best debater and speaker in 2-20 the House," and his word was valued as his bond; this was vividly 2-21 demonstrated when his good friend and fellow lawyer, Amos Felts, 2-22 died, leaving a son, Dan, who was in his final year of law school; 2-23 after allaying Dan's concerns about his father's law practice, 2-24 Mr. Kilgore and his partner for the next six months answered the 2-25 mail, returned calls, and provided legal advice to keep the Felts 2-26 practice open, while keeping up with their own practice; when Dan 2-27 graduated from law school, Mr. Kilgore handed him the keys to his 3-1 father's practice; and 3-2 WHEREAS, Though he will be deeply missed for his friendship, 3-3 counsel, and gentle humor by those fortunate enough to have known 3-4 him, his generous spirit will surely be remembered with affection 3-5 and admiration for many years to come; now, therefore, be it 3-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 3-7 Legislature pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Joe Madison 3-8 Kilgore and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family; 3-9 to his wife, Jane Redman Kilgore; to his daughter and son-in-law, 3-10 Shannon J. Kilgore and Dr. Louis K. Hine; to his sons and 3-11 daughters-in-law, Mark H. and Celia Kilgore, Dean M. and Sydney 3-12 Kilgore, and William M. and Mary Lou Kilgore; to his brother and 3-13 sister-in-law, G. A. "Jack" and Kay Kilgore; to his sister, Jean 3-14 Mauldin; to his grandchildren; and to the many other relatives and 3-15 friends of this remarkable gentleman; and, be it further 3-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-17 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-18 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-19 Joe Madison Kilgore. Uher Delisi _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 825 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 13, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House