By Cook H.R. No. 1393 77R18054 MDM-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Virgil Berry Richards in recognition of his 100th birthday; and 1-3 WHEREAS, Born on September 24, 1901, in Indian territory near 1-4 Wetumka, Oklahoma, he was delivered at home by Dr. Berry, and his 1-5 middle name is in honor of the doctor; Mr. Richards grew up with 1-6 eight brothers and one sister on a farm at Spring Hill, not far 1-7 from his birthplace, and he attended a one-room school, completing 1-8 all 10 grades that the school offered; and 1-9 WHEREAS, On April 24, 1923, Mr. Richards married the former 1-10 Jannie Lancial, and the couple enjoyed a close relationship that 1-11 lasted more than 75 years, until her passing in 1998 at the age of 1-12 93; Mr. Richards takes great pride in his family, including his 1-13 daughter and son-in-law, Louise Mary and Henry Volz; his grandsons 1-14 and their wives, John and Candace Volz and Robert and Pauline Volz; 1-15 and five great-grandchildren, Warren, Emery, Evelyn, Stephen, and 1-16 Megan Volz; and 1-17 WHEREAS, This industrious young man farmed and also was a 1-18 house mover, coal miner, oil field worker, and refinery stillman; 1-19 and 1-20 WHEREAS, He moved to Corpus Christi in 1938 to work for 1-21 Pontiac Refining Company, which later became Great Southern, and in 1-22 1946 he began a 19-year career with Phillips Petroleum Company at 1-23 its refinery in Old Ocean, retiring in 1965 as assistant 1-24 superintendent; and 2-1 WHEREAS, After retirement, Mr. Richards and his wife moved to 2-2 Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to be near old friends and for the fishing, 2-3 then in 1979 they moved back to Texas and bought a house near their 2-4 daughter; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Over the course of his 100 years, this esteemed 2-6 gentleman has lived under the leadership of 19 presidents, 2-7 survived the Great Depression, and seen the development of myriad 2-8 historic inventions, including coal-fired, then oil-fired, steam 2-9 trains, the automobile and national road system, airplanes, and 2-10 computers; and 2-11 WHEREAS, The birthday of Mr. Richards provides a fitting 2-12 opportunity for his friends and relatives to recognize the 2-13 significant happiness he has brought to them and the positive 2-14 impact he has had on the countless individuals whose lives he has 2-15 touched; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-17 Legislature hereby congratulate Virgil Berry Richards on the 2-18 momentous occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere 2-19 best wishes for the future; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for Mr. Richards as an expression of high regard by the 2-22 Texas House of Representatives.