H.R. No. 789


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments may comfort the family and friends of Clifford Neal Knox, a prominent leader of the gun-rights movement, who died at his home near Manassas, Virginia, on January 17, 2005, at the age of 69; and WHEREAS, Born on June 20, 1935, in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, Mr. Knox spent most of his early life in Texas; he graduated from high school in Vernon and met his future wife, Jay, while attending Abilene Christian University; and WHEREAS, During the early part of his career, he spent eight years in the Texas National Guard and worked in the insurance and oil businesses; he also served as a reporter for the Vernon Daily Record and as a reporter, assistant city editor, and gun columnist for the Wichita Falls Times and Record News; in his spare time, he contributed to several gun magazines as a freelance writer; and WHEREAS, Mr. Knox became the founding editor of Gun Week newspaper in 1966, and several years later, he took over as editor of Handloader magazine and oversaw the creation of Rifle magazine; he and his partner relocated the magazines from Peoria, Illinois, to Prescott, Arizona, in 1971; and WHEREAS, In 1978, Neal Knox moved to the Washington, D.C., area to become executive director of the Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association; in addition to holding that post for four years, he was elected to several terms on the board of the NRA and held the offices of NRA second vice president in 1994-1995 and first vice president in 1995-1996; and WHEREAS, Neal Knox founded the Firearms Coalition in 1984 as a vehicle for gun-rights activists, and he served as chairman of the organization until his passing; a master of grassroots organizing and a popular, dynamic speaker, he is credited with inspiring the movement that has secured right-to-carry laws in dozens of states; and WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Knox competed in virtually every shooting discipline and won a national title in bench rest; he was also an accomplished pilot, holding instrument and multi-engine ratings; and WHEREAS, This notable advocate was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Gun Rights Policy Conference, in recognition of his immeasurable contributions to the gun-rights movement; a tireless champion of the Second Amendment, he leaves a powerful legacy in the host of national and local leaders that he was instrumental in raising up to serve and guide the gun-rights cause; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Clifford Neal Knox and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife of nearly 49 years, Jay Janen Knox; to his children, Christopher, Shan, Jeffrey, and Stacey; to his seven grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many friends; 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 Clifford Neal Knox. Hardcastle ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 789 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 31, 2005. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House