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79R5409 JTR-D

By:  Gonzalez Toureilles                                          H.R. No. 467



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Sam Houston Burris of Alice has distinguished 
himself as an able attorney, a devoted husband and father, and a 
vital and valued member of the South Texas legal community, and it 
is indeed fitting on the occasion of his retirement to reflect on 
this notable Texan's many accomplishments; and
	WHEREAS, A graduate of Alice High School, Mr. Burris served 
in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a bomber engineer 
and gunner and as a paratrooper delivering supplies to the French 
and Norwegian resistance movements and was awarded five Battle 
Stars, the Air Medal Oak Leaf with Clusters, and the European 
Theater of Operations Medal; and
	WHEREAS, On his return to Texas, Mr. Burris worked in the oil 
fields at night while pursuing his education by day, earning a 
bachelor's degree in business from Texas A&I University and a law 
degree from The University of Texas at Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Over the course of his law career he served as county 
attorney for Jim Wells County, assistant attorney general for the 
State of Texas, and district attorney for the 79th Judicial 
District of Texas, and his work in these offices encompassed some of 
the state's most remarkable cases; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Burris has drawn strength 
and sustenance from his loving and close-knit family, including his 
wife, the former Dorothy Rutledge; their children, Sam Houston 
Burris, Jr., and Barrett Holland Burris; their granddaughters, 
Leah, Diana, Katherine, and Sarah Burris; and their great-grandson, 
Jackson Blake Burdett; and
	WHEREAS, A gifted orator, Mr. Burris has served as a lay 
preacher in Methodist and Presbyterian churches across South Texas 
and has also contributed his time and talent to the community of 
faith at United Methodist Church, where he has served as chairman of 
the board and as a Sunday school teacher; and
	WHEREAS, The conclusion of an exemplary 53-year career by a 
man who has given so much to his community, state, and nation does 
truly merit special recognition; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Sam Houston Burris on the occasion of his 
retirement and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Burris as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.