This website will be unavailable from Friday, April 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.
79R8413 MMS-D
By: Hardcastle 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.