H.R. No. 115



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, People across the Lone Star State are mourning the 
loss of MacPhelan Reese, an accomplished artist, writer, historian, 
and friend, who passed away on July 7, 2003, at the age of 97; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Reese was born on March 27, 1906, and spent most 
of his formative years in Bonham, Texas; as a youth, he labored to 
support his family and yet was able to excel in his studies, 
eventually gaining fluency in Greek, Latin, Italian, and Spanish; 
and
	WHEREAS, While a young man, he studied voice at the 
Cincinnati Conservatory and embarked on a rich and diverse career 
that included working as a professional fighter, a performer on the 
vaudeville stage and in 10 movies, a joke writer, and a pen and ink 
sketch artist; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Reese returned to his hometown of Bonham to 
serve as the resident writer, philosopher, and teller of tales at 
the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum, where he was widely respected 
for his dedication, wisdom, and inspirational attitude; he retired 
from the museum in 2001 as the oldest employee of The University of 
Texas System; and
	WHEREAS, In his free time, Mr. Reese volunteered countless 
hours to serving his community, for which he was accorded various 
awards and commendations; he also sponsored the MacPhelan Reese 
Scholarship Fund in an effort to help local high school students 
pursue their dreams of higher education; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Reese once wrote, "The longest life is only a 
moment long, yet Greatness perpetuates itself; as long as its 
influence pollinates receptive minds, the owner of that greatness 
shall live . . . And as surely as shadows lengthen with the sun's 
decline, his eminence shall extend to horizons beyond our 
horizon."; this beautiful tribute, originally written upon the 
death of Sam Rayburn, can be aptly applied to the passing of its 
author as well; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
MacPhelan Reese and extend sincere sympathy to his family and many 
friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That when the Texas House of Representatives 
adjourns this day, it do so in memory of MacPhelan Reese.

                                                                        Phillips


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 115 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on July 25, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House