By Chisum                                             H.R. No. 1039
         77R15681 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives joins with the
 1-2     friends and family of the Honorable Grainger Walter McIlhany in
 1-3     mourning the loss of this esteemed Texan, who passed away on March
 1-4     20, 2001, at the age of 82; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Judge McIlhany was born April 28, 1918, and earned
 1-6     his bachelor's and law degrees from The University of Texas; he
 1-7     served his country with distinction during World War II with the
 1-8     Thirteenth Armored Division while stationed in Europe; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, He joined the legislature in 1948 as a member of the
1-10     Texas House of Representatives, and during his 18 years as a member
1-11     of this body, he was an effective and articulate voice for his
1-12     district; indicative of the respect in which Judge McIlhany was
1-13     held, he was recognized as an outstanding legislator by The Texas
1-14     Lawman; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Continuing his public service, he was elected judge
1-16     of the 31st Judicial District in 1966, an office whose demanding
1-17     duties he faithfully performed until his retirement in 1990; in his
1-18     capacity as judge he presided over significant cases pertaining to
1-19     oil and gas and medical negligence; he also served on the state
1-20     Criminal Justice Council; and
1-21           WHEREAS, In recognition of his many contributions, he was
1-22     selected Man of the Year in 1980 by the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce
1-23     and also received the Pioneer Spirit Award from that organization
1-24     in 1999; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, On August 20, 1955, he married the former Dorothy
 2-2     Dendinger and shared many happy years with her until her passing in
 2-3     December 2000; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished tenure as a public
 2-5     servant, Judge McIlhany consistently focused his efforts on serving
 2-6     the needs of his fellow citizens, and his many accomplishments will
 2-7     continue to benefit Texans for years to come; now, therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-9     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Judge McIlhany and
2-10     extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
2-11     children, Tom McIlhany, Bill McIlhany, and Anne Kirkpatrick; to his
2-12     sister, Dr. Mary Lou McIlhany; to his sister-in-law, Mary Louise
2-13     Howell; to his seven grandchildren; to his nephew, Steve Tomlin;
2-14     and to the other relatives and many friends and admirers of this
2-15     beloved gentleman; and, be it further
2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-17     prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
2-18     Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge
2-19     Grainger Walter McIlhany.