H.R. No. 64 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Citizens across Texas lost an esteemed public 
servant and committed civil rights leader with the passing of the 
Honorable Garfield Thompson of Fort Worth, who died on December 7, 
2005, at the age of 89; and
	WHEREAS, This notable Texan was a prominent political figure 
in the African American community of Fort Worth for decades, and he 
was much admired for his dedication to the needs of the citizens of 
Tarrant County and his advocacy for the rights of workers, 
minorities, and veterans; and
	WHEREAS, Born on June 29, 1916, in Grandview, Mr. Thompson 
graduated from I. M. Terrell High School and served his country 
during World War II; his first jobs after the war, as a railroad 
dining car waiter and later as a custodian for the Tarrant County 
Courthouse, undoubtedly laid the foundation for his compassionate 
activism in behalf of the working class; he soon became a strong 
advocate for workers' rights and was elected president of the 
county employees' union; and
	WHEREAS, This lifelong Democrat won a seat in the Texas House 
of Representatives in 1984 and served House District 95 for the 
following 10 years; during his tenure, he ably represented the 
residents of southeast Fort Worth, including the Stop Six 
neighborhood, where he resided until his death, and earned the 
respect and admiration of both his Democratic and Republican 
colleagues in the house; and
	WHEREAS, For nearly 60 years, he benefited from the love and 
support of his wife, the late Dorothy Ruth Thompson, who was a 
vigorous champion of voting rights for African Americans and his 
companion in the fight for a better future for all Texans; and
	WHEREAS, Garfield Thompson's extraordinary achievements 
exemplified his passionate commitment to a just and equitable 
society, and although his death has brought great sorrow to those 
who loved him, his life will remain an inspiring example of the good 
that one person can accomplish; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
the Honorable Garfield Thompson and extend sincere sympathy to the 
members of his family:  to his son, Justice of the Peace E. Sidney 
Thompson; to his daughters, Fannie Thompson Gibson, Willie Ruth 
Jones, Ruby Thompson Grant, and Ida Thompson Bridgewater; to his 
five grandchildren and his great-granddaughter; and to his other 
relatives and many friends and admirers throughout the state; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the 
Honorable Garfield Thompson.

                                                                          Veasey


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 64 was unanimously adopted by a rising 
vote of the House on April 21, 2006.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House