78S20084 MW-D

By:  Keffer of Eastland                                           H.R. No. 27 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Honorable Joe C. Hanna of Breckenridge, who 
distinguished himself over the course of seven terms as a member of 
the Texas House of Representatives, passed away on July 26, 2003, at 
the age of 83; and
	WHEREAS, Born on May 19, 1920, in Lawton, Oklahoma, Mr. Hanna 
moved to Wichita Falls as a child and graduated from Wichita Falls 
High School; after earning a degree from Tarleton College in 1940, 
he entered pre-law at The University of Texas at Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Hanna willingly answered his country's call to 
duty in 1941, joining the U.S. Navy; he was a courageous fighter 
pilot in the North Atlantic and went on to command the San Luis 
Obispo Naval Air Station before his honorable discharge in 1945; 
and
	WHEREAS, Returning to Breckenridge, Mr. Hanna purchased 
Stephens County Abstract Company, which he owned and operated for 
the next 25 years; a licensed real estate broker and appraiser who 
leased oil and gas, Mr. Hanna later worked as a consultant for the 
Independent Oil and Gas Producers of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, This outstanding public servant was elected to the 
Texas Legislature in 1970, and he served with great distinction for 
10 years as chairman of the House Energy Committee; while a member 
of the house, he further served as chairman of the Southwest 
Regional Energy Council and the Texas Energy Resources Committee 
and as a gubernatorial appointee to the Interstate Oil Compact 
Commission; and
	WHEREAS, The community of Breckenridge benefited from his 
dedicated work on the school board, which he served as a member for 
13 years and also as president; in addition, he was a member of the 
board of directors of First Federal Savings & Loan; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Hanna married Betty Elliott in 1942, and their 
union was blessed with three children and seven grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, Highly respected for both his long public service 
and his extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry, Joe Hanna 
enjoyed a life rich in family, friends, and accomplishments, and it 
is a privilege to join in honoring his memory; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
the Honorable Joe C. Hanna and extend sincere sympathy to the 
members of his family:  to his wife, Betty Hanna; to his children, 
Steve Hanna, Judi Hanna, and Mark Hanna; to his sisters, Roy Ann 
Weeks and Madie Hanna; to his grandchildren; and to his other 
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of former 
State Representative Joe C. Hanna.