By Goolsby H.R. No. 822
77R13736 GMW-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Wade F. Spilman, a
1-2 former member of the Texas House of Representatives, on September
1-3 5, 2000, at the age of 75, brought a great loss to the family,
1-4 friends, and colleagues of this distinguished gentleman; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Mission, Texas, on October 12, 1924,
1-6 Mr. Spilman was a graduate of Mission High School and earned
1-7 bachelor's and law degrees from The University of Texas at Austin,
1-8 where he lettered in tennis and was a member of the Texas Cowboys
1-9 and Sigma Nu fraternity; and
1-10 WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman proudly served his country
1-11 during World War II as an infantry staff sergeant in the United
1-12 States Army, including fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; he
1-13 demonstrated immense fortitude and perseverance while surviving as
1-14 a prisoner of war in Germany, for which he was awarded the
1-15 prestigious Purple Heart; and
1-16 WHEREAS, In addition to being a successful lawyer and
1-17 district attorney in Hidalgo County for many years, Mr. Spilman
1-18 represented that region in the Texas Legislature from 1955 to 1962;
1-19 his exemplary tenure in the Texas House of Representatives was one
1-20 marked by dedication and integrity and included serving as chairman
1-21 of the Judiciary Committee and leading several high-profile
1-22 investigations of fraud and corruption; and
1-23 WHEREAS, Following his legislative service, Mr. Spilman and
1-24 his family moved to Austin, where he was the longtime managing
2-1 partner of the law firm McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore; this
2-2 respected attorney specialized in regulatory and administrative law
2-3 and represented clients before the State Board of Insurance, the
2-4 Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the Texas Legislature; and
2-5 WHEREAS, The many noteworthy civic and professional
2-6 organizations of which he was a member include the Texas, Travis
2-7 County, and American bar associations, the Texas Civil Judicial
2-8 Council, the McAllen Junior Chamber of Commerce, the State Junior
2-9 Bar Association, the McAllen Citizens' League, the Hidalgo-Starr
2-10 Counties Draft Board, and the Austin YMCA; he served as chairman of
2-11 the McAllen United Fund Drive and was an energetic and enthusiastic
2-12 Boy Scout leader and Little League coach; and
2-13 WHEREAS, A loving husband, father, and grandfather,
2-14 Mr. Spilman derived immeasurable strength throughout the years from
2-15 his close-knit family; moreover, he counted many notable Texans as
2-16 his closest companions, including Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry,
2-17 who was best man in his wedding, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock,
2-18 Texas Speaker of the House Byron Tunnell, Texas House and Senate
2-19 parliamentarian Robert E. Johnson, who served with him in the Texas
2-20 House during the 55th-57th sessions, and Joe Kilgore, United States
2-21 congressman and law partner; and
2-22 WHEREAS, Although Wade Spilman is gone from us now, his
2-23 spirit continues to dwell in the hearts and minds of the many
2-24 people who held him dear, and it is indeed appropriate to honor the
2-25 memory of this estimable Texan at this time; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Wade F.
3-1 Spilman and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:
3-2 to his wife, Arlette Fowler Spilman; to his three children, Holli,
3-3 Steve, and Tom and his wife, Jane Ann; to his four grandchildren,
3-4 Virginia, Jack, Spencer, and Trent; and to his many other relatives
3-5 and friends; and, be it further
3-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-7 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-8 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-9 Wade F. Spilman.