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79R11593 JTR-D

By:  Frost                                                        H.R. No. 1158



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, With the passing of Wilbert Andrew "Big Daddy" 
Griffin of Texarkana, Arkansas, on March 18, 2005, at the age of 73, 
the world has lost a distinctive and influential voice, and we join 
his family and many friends in mourning their loss; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Alexandria, Louisiana, Mr. Griffin first 
moved to Texarkana in 1971 and distinguished himself as a 
larger-than-life presence in the fields of broadcasting and 
entertainment; and
	WHEREAS, His commanding presence and authoritative command 
of musical history secured his stature as one of the area's 
preeminent disc jockeys, and many of his colleagues claim him as a 
definitive influence; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Griffin lived a life rich with experience, and 
in addition to his career as a disc jockey he served in the U.S. Army 
for 18 years and worked at a number of occupations, including police 
officer, cosmetologist, car salesman, radio station manager, 
television host, and bodyguard to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and
	WHEREAS, As well as loving the blues, he was deeply committed 
to the betterment of his community, and he gave generously of his 
time and talents to worthy causes, including Head Start and the Boy 
Scouts of America; and
	WHEREAS, Although his booming voice has been stilled, Big 
Daddy Griffin's joyous spirit shines on in the hearts of all those 
whose lives he touched and in the music he loved and championed 
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Wilbert Andrew "Big 
Daddy" Griffin and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his 
family: to his wife, Darlene Griffin; to his children, Kathy 
Martin, Gwendolyn Jones, Rosia Griffin, Mark Griffin, Mallory 
Hunter, W. A. "Wag" Griffin, Will Reeves, and Terral Griffin; to his 
stepchildren, Charlie Powell, Montieth Powell, and Tanesha Powell; 
to his sister, Edith Pitts; and to his other relatives and many 
friends and admirers; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Wilbert 
Andrew "Big Daddy" Griffin.