78S20423 MDM-D By: Coleman H.R. No. 207R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The passing of Ralph D. King of Houston on July 21, 2003, at the age of 77, has deeply saddened the family and many friends of this beloved man; and WHEREAS, A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mr. King enjoyed an array of sports, from pond ice hockey to "night golf," and he excelled in track and field; in high school, he earned the title of IC4A and New England sprint champion in the 100- and 200-yard events and was the region's indoor champion in the 45-yard sprint race; in college, he successfully participated with Boston College's New England indoor and outdoor mile-relay championship teams in many national and international track meets, was the first African American to captain a Boston College varsity team, and was inducted into the college's hall of fame in 1996; and WHEREAS, Following college, he embarked on a notable career devoted to the promotion of intergroup relations; he served as regional director of the New York, Pennsylvania, and Houston offices of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, served on the faculty of the National Police Institute, and was an early leader in the movement to train educators to teach English as a second language; and WHEREAS, Retiring in Houston in 1986, he shared his time and energy as a member of St. James' Episcopal Church and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and he was a charter member of the North Houston Frontiers International; and WHEREAS, Those who were fortunate enough to know Ralph King will long miss his deep commitment to his fellowman, his gentle spirit, and his "Yankee" sense of humor, and he will be remembered with affection by the countless people whose lives he touched; 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 Ralph D. King and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife of 42 years, Edith King; to his daughters, Anne Odile King and Frances King; to his sister, Bernice Clark; to his niece and nephew-in-law, Gloria and Robert Clark; to his nephews and niece-in-law, Stephen Clark and Jimmy and Aurey Clark; to his cousins, Flossie and Cayward Lewis; and to all those who mourn the passing of this esteemed gentleman; 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 Ralph D. King.