79R11256 MAM-D

By:  Naishtat                                                     H.R. No. 1027



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with meaningful 
accomplishments and joyful experiences may comfort the family and 
friends of Robert Anthony Proffitt of Liberty Hill, who died on 
October 17, 2004; and
	WHEREAS, Born on October 20, 1942, in Kansas City, Missouri, 
Tony Proffitt was a veteran political strategist and top adviser to 
well-known politicians in the State of Texas; prior to his 
successful career in politics, he attended Rockhurst College in 
Kansas City, served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and worked as a 
photographer for the Temple Daily Telegram and as a reporter for the 
Austin American-Statesman; in 1966, he joined U.S. Representative 
Jake Pickle's staff as a press spokesman in Austin and later moved 
to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the congressman and in 
President Lyndon Johnson's White House; and
	WHEREAS, After returning to Texas, he worked on the initial 
bond campaign that led to the creation of the Dallas/Fort Worth 
regional airport, assisted Land Commissioner Bob Armstrong, and 
worked for Joe Christie as research director at the State Board of 
Insurance; in the late 1970s, he began a decades-long professional 
relationship and personal friendship with Bob Bullock; after 
Lieutenant Governor Bullock left office, Mr. Proffitt became a 
government affairs consultant and advised an array of clients on 
the intricacies of dealing with lawmakers and state agencies; and
	WHEREAS, While he was immensely successful in the political 
arena, his first love often appeared to be not politics but 
chickens; as owner and resident of Stoney Acres Farm, a 33-acre 
patch of land north of Austin, Mr. Proffitt delighted in bringing 
brown eggs to Capitol officeholders and staff members; he also 
loved working on his hardscrabble land, chopping cedar and tending 
to the demands of a working ranch; and
	WHEREAS, Known for his soft-spoken demeanor and humility, 
Mr. Proffitt built an impressive career working behind the scenes 
in Texas politics; he was a much-treasured member of our community 
and will be dearly missed by all those who were privileged to know 
him and by those who were touched by his deep commitment to the Lone 
Star State; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tony Proffitt and 
extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his mother, 
Dorothy; to his brother, David; 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 Tony 
Proffitt.