By Uher                                                H.R. No. 176
         77R5018 MW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and friends of the Honorable Burt
 1-2     O'Connell of Van Vleck, former Matagorda County judge, were deeply
 1-3     saddened by the passing of this esteemed gentleman on April 1,
 1-4     2000, at the age of 74; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born on September 20, 1925, Judge O'Connell
 1-6     graduated from Van Vleck High School in 1942, and he answered his
 1-7     country's call to duty and served in the United States Navy during
 1-8     World War II; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, In 1947, Judge O'Connell married Florine Smith, and
1-10     the couple owned and operated a local grocery store until 1960,
1-11     when he became a real estate broker and developer; and
1-12           WHEREAS, This dedicated Texan contributed much of his time to
1-13     the betterment of his community; he was Matagorda County judge from
1-14     1978 until the mid-1990s, and was a member of the board of trustees
1-15     of Van Vleck ISD; he served several terms as Matagorda County
1-16     Democratic Party chairman, and was president of the Bay City Lions
1-17     Club; he also belonged to American Legion Post No. 11 for 54 years
1-18     and was a lifelong member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.
1-19     2438; and
1-20           WHEREAS, A committed public servant, Judge O'Connell took
1-21     special pride in his association with the Jackson Electric
1-22     Cooperative, the South Texas Electric Cooperative, and the San
1-23     Miguel Electric Cooperative, and he served on the Jackson Electric
1-24     Board of Directors for 39 years; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Judge O'Connell was a charter member of the First
 2-2     United Methodist Church of Van Vleck, where he was administrative
 2-3     council chairman and a member of the board of trustees for many
 2-4     years; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, This estimable individual was a dedicated public
 2-6     servant, family man, and community leader whose life had a positive
 2-7     impact on countless people, and it is indeed appropriate to honor
 2-8     the memory of Burt O'Connell at this time; now, therefore, be it
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-10     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Burt
2-11     O'Connell and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
2-12     to his son, Michael B. O'Connell; to his brother, Ray O'Connell; to
2-13     his sisters, Dorothy Stafford and Nancy Bridgwater; to his
2-14     grandchildren, Michael B. O'Connell and Ashley O'Connell; and to
2-15     his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-18     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-19     the Honorable Burt O'Connell.