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79R303 BJM-D

By:  Baxter                                                     H.C.R. No. 28 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Philip A. Berkebile retired from his position as 
executive vice president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association 
(TDNA) at the end of 2004, bringing to a close an exceptional career 
in the newspaper industry that has spanned more than four decades; 
and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his 20-year tenure with the TDNA, Mr. 
Berkebile has made numerous invaluable contributions to the 
organization, including the improvement and expansion of its 
service to Texas daily newspapers in all areas of operation, the 
implementation of an array of programs that resulted in voluntary 
newsprint recycling, on-line reporting training, and the continued 
enhancement of journalism education in the state; in addition, 
under his guidance, the association has remained instrumental in 
upholding freedom of information by supporting the preservation of 
the state's open meetings and open records laws; and
	WHEREAS, The son of a former Kansas daily newspaper 
publisher, Mr. Berkebile began his professional career in 1960 at 
the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, where he worked as a reporter and 
photographer; in 1967, he became the manager of the Dodge City, 
Kansas, Chamber of Commerce and, two years later, began his tenure 
as executive vice president of the chamber of commerce in Hastings, 
Nebraska; before joining the TDNA in 1985, Mr. Berkebile served for 
11 years as general manager of the Nebraska Press Association in 
Lincoln; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Berkebile has been active 
in a host of organizations and efforts, both civic and 
professional, including the National Newspaper Association, the 
Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi, the Hitchcock 
Foundation, Kiwanis International, the United Fund campaign, the 
Sabin Oral Vaccine campaign, and the U.S. Savings Bond campaign; 
moreover, he has demonstrated his dedication to the future of the 
news industry through his involvement with the University of 
Nebraska School of Journalism and the Texas Tech University School 
of Mass Communications, where he is a founding member of the board 
of directors; and
	WHEREAS, Earning the lasting respect of his colleagues, Phil 
Berkebile has set high standards of excellence and professionalism 
to which all may aspire; although his leadership will be sincerely 
missed, he leaves behind an important legacy of service and 
achievement, benefiting not only the state's daily newspapers but 
ultimately all the people of Texas who read them; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby congratulate Philip A. Berkebile on his retirement as 
executive vice president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association 
and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and 
happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Berkebile as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.