H.R. No. 150



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joy and 
accomplishment may comfort the family and friends of Robert W. 
Murphey, who died on November 25, 2004; and
	WHEREAS, A devoted son of Nacogdoches, Bob Murphey was born 
on July 31, 1921, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State 
University and The University of Texas School of Law; after serving 
in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II, he settled into a 
successful public speaking career, which took him to 44 states, 
Mexico, and Canada; and
	WHEREAS, This gregarious Texan won countless awards for his 
ability to speak so eloquently to groups ranging from the United 
States Supreme Court to a Grande Ole Opry audience to a local rodeo 
crowd; the National Speakers Association honored him with its most 
prestigious accolades, the Cavett Award and the title of Continuare 
Professus Ariculatis Excellere; a member of the Speakers Hall of 
Fame, he also received the Mark Twain Award, presented by the 
International Platform Association in 1994; and
	WHEREAS, A man of many talents, Mr. Murphey succeeded in 
roles as diverse as sergeant-at-arms for the Texas House of 
Representatives in 1949 and 1951, Nacogdoches county attorney and 
district attorney, and rancher; he chaired the original fund drive 
for the Nacogdoches Exposition Center and served as a founding 
director and a 30-year board member of Fredonia State Bank; 
dedicated to the betterment of his community, he also distinguished 
himself as a volunteer firefighter for nearly 40 years and a founder 
of Grace Bible Church of Nacogdoches; he was named Citizen of the 
Year by the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce, "Texas Best Good Old 
Boy" by Texas Monthly, a distinguished alumni by Stephen F. Austin 
State University, and a member of the Nacogdoches Heritage 
Festival's Old Timer's Hall of Fame; and
	WHEREAS, With his ever-present cowboy attire, Bob Murphey was 
a much-loved member of his community, and his wry sense of humor, 
his integrity, and his innumerable contributions to the city of 
Nacogdoches will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert W. Murphey and 
extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family:  to his 
daughters, Brenda G. Murphey Williams and her husband, Danny, and 
Reba Jane Murphey Gayler and her husband, John; to his 
grandchildren, Hope G. Hazle Swilley and her husband, Phillip, 
Robert Murphey Gayler, and John Owen Gayler; to his 
great-grandchild, Rustin; and to the other relatives and many 
friends 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 Robert W. 
Murphey.

                                                                           Blake


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 150 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on February 17, 2005.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House