R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The members of the Texas House of Representatives
1-2 wish to pay tribute to the memory of a former colleague, the
1-3 Honorable Harry P. Whitworth, who passed away on May 15, 1994; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A member of the Texas House of Representatives
1-5 during the 50th and 51st legislatures, Mr. Whitworth ably
1-6 represented District 127, which then comprised Bastrop County; and
1-7 WHEREAS, Former member Bob Davis, who was a contemporary of
1-8 Representative Whitworth, wrote a poem in his honor, and it reads
1-9 as follows:
1-10 The voice cried "Mr. Speaker . . ." and a hush fell on the House,
1-11 The gentleman was smiling like the cat that ate the mouse.
1-12 The bill was nothing special to the members or the state,
1-13 It was just one more mandate and defeat would be its fate.
1-14 Then the voice broke forth in mirth and announced to one and all,
1-15 "Surely, Mr. Speaker the rules I just recall,
1-16 Say you can't kill Mr. Whitworth's bill
1-17 When he isn't in the hall."
1-18 Oh the laughter pealed and thundered and all joined in it seemed
1-19 And the bill took on a meaning that it never even dreamed.
1-20 I shook my head in wonder and pondered to myself,
1-21 "Who is this Mr. Whitworth whose bill was on the shelf?"
1-22 Was he a lion or a monster from some dark and evil place
1-23 Who pulled the chains of many with a smirk upon his face?
1-24 So new was this no answer came to me that faithful day,
2-1 But I came to know the answer after years had passed away.
2-2 As fortune oft will do public business pressed as close
2-3 And by chance to see the faces that were never seen by most.
2-4 And then there came the hours that we simply were at play
2-5 And another set of faces which there was on display.
2-6 In a crowd with boots and cattle, or a ballroom dressed to nines
2-7 He was central to the session like a rack of vintage wines.
2-8 His laughter it was catching, his strength indwelled and calmed
2-9 And his thoughts about our Texas were treasured like the psalms.
2-10 So to the ones around him, he was always to the fore,
2-11 And if you were not with him, you were left outside the door.
2-12 Take up the flag and carry forth the banner of the brave
2-13 Who strive with every sinew our heritage to save.
2-14 He knew Victory was as fleeting as the raging Texas wind,
2-15 And no matter what the battle, you must up and fight again.
2-16 For our freedom ebbs and flows in a thousand little waves
2-17 And absent constant watching these will stablish deathly graves.
2-18 And in the fight for rightness was the essence of the man
2-19 I came to know as special, and so came to understand
2-20 That face that showed his wholeness for all the world to see
2-21 Was the one he showed when holding a wee grandchild on his knee.
2-22 It was never for the moment, though the moment be immense.
2-23 It was never for the glory that might come with battle tense.
2-24 It was always for the future, for the ones not yet so strong,
2-25 That he took up his standard and bid us come along.
2-26 Oh, yes he was a lion and he had a frightening roar.
2-27 But he had the dreams and vision that o'er us would soar.
3-1 Some called Light Horse Harry, some call him much, much worse,
3-2 I call him Mr. Whitworth and here dedicate this verse.
3-3 now, therefore, be it
3-4 RESOLVED, That the members of the House of Representatives of
3-5 the 77th Texas Legislature hereby honor the many contributions of
3-6 their former colleague to the State of Texas, and that when the
3-7 house adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the Honorable Harry
3-8 P. Whitworth.
Edwards
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1453 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 28, 2001.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House