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78S30683 MW-D

By:  Allen                                                        H.R. No. 197



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Cleburne community lost a beloved resident when 
James R. "Jim" Atchley passed away on August 31, 2003, at the age of 
74; and
	WHEREAS, Born on July 2, 1929, in Cleburne, Mr. Atchley 
graduated from Cleburne High School in 1947; this native son 
remained deeply involved in the Cleburne community throughout his 
life as a member of the Cleburne Yellow Jacket Booster Club, as a 
33rd-degree Mason with Cleburne Masonic Lodge No. 315, and as a 
congregant at Field St. Baptist Church, where he belonged to the 
Tent Makers Class and the Joyful Sound Choir; Mr. Atchley also 
played in the WST Bluegrass Band and acted as master of ceremonies 
for bluegrass festivals in Glen Rose; and
	WHEREAS, In April of 1948, Mr. Atchley began a 48-year tenure 
with the Santa Fe Railroad as a freight brakeman, earning a 
promotion to conductor and receiving switchman's seniority in 1960; 
and
	WHEREAS, An esteemed member of the former Brotherhood of 
Railroad Trainmen and the United Transportation Union (UTU), Mr. 
Atchley served as local legislative representative, member of the 
local board of trustees, secretary of the Texas Legislative Board, 
and assistant state legislative director;  on January 1, 1988, he 
assumed the office of state legislative director and was 
subsequently elected to two four-year terms; and
	WHEREAS, During his time with the UTU, Mr. Atchley worked 
with Governors Dolph Briscoe, Mark White, Bill Clements, Ann 
Richards, and George Bush, helping to pass legislation that 
benefited UTU members and their families and created better working 
conditions for rail and bus employees; and
	WHEREAS, A positive influence in the lives of countless 
Texans, Mr. Atchley leaves behind a legacy of good works that will 
not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
James R. Atchley and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his 
family:  to his son, Gary Atchley and his wife, Mindy; to his 
daughter, Debbe Prater and her husband, Mike; to his sister, 
Janelle Green; to his sister-in-law, Betty Jo Atchley; to his 
grandchildren, David Atchley, Kevin Atchley and his wife, Annette, 
Tommy Atchley and his wife, Caren, Cole Prater, and Curt Prater; to 
his great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Atchley, Zoe Atchley, and Hayley 
Atchley; to his special friend, Ona Pritchard; 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 Jim 
Atchley.