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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 305


In Memory

of

Mike McKool


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens 
of Dallas in mourning the loss of the Honorable Mike McKool, who 
died February 22, 2003, at the age of 84; and

	WHEREAS, Mike McKool was born December 30, 1918, in 
Mexico City and moved to Dallas with his Lebanese immigrant parents,
Charles and Filomena McKool; he graduated as valedictorian of his 
class from Dallas (Crozier) Tech High School and earned a degree 
from George Washington University; and

	WHEREAS, During World War II, he was stationed in Italy, 
flying missions as a B-24 tail gunner in the United States 
Army Air Corps; he was shot down over Yugoslavia, rescued by 
the anti-Nazi Chetniks, and walked for 38 days and 400 miles to 
freedom; and

	WHEREAS, When he returned to Dallas, he completed his law 
degree at Southern Methodist University and founded a law firm 
in Dallas where he practiced for 50 years and specialized in 
condemnation cases; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. McKool was known throughout his career as a 
champion for the rights of the underrepresented; he was elected 
to the Texas State Senate in 1968, where he fought high insurance 
rates and a sales tax on groceries; he wrote the state's voter 
registration law, and in 1972, he broke the world's filibustering 
record when he spoke nonstop for 42 hours and 33 minutes in an 
effort to gain funds for mental health and retardation; and

	WHEREAS, He served as chairman of the Dallas County 
Democratic Party from 1984 to 1986 and founded Democratic Men 
of Dallas County; he was the chairman of the Danny Thomas 
Saint Jude's Drive to aid children with leukemia, and he was 
president of the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American 
Clubs; and

	WHEREAS, Mr. McKool was a member of Christ the King 
Catholic Church, and he was widely known for his humor, his 
loyalty, and his love of his family, politics, and the law; and

	WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, 
Mr. McKool gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his 
wisdom, warmth, and valued counsel will not be forgotten by 
those who knew him; and

	WHEREAS, Mike McKool lived his life to the fullest and he 
was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves 
behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and 
many friends; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the 
bereaved family of Mike McKool:  his wife, Betty Raney McKool; 
his children, Mike McKool, Jr., Mollie McKool, Matt McKool, 
and Mitzi McKool Gadway; his sister, Pat Parton; and his 
20 grandchildren; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 
for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do 
so in memory of Mike McKool.
                                                                            West




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 5, 2003, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate