SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 509


In Memory

of

Jerry Hall


	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 
citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of Jerry Hall, who died 
March 6, 2005, at the age of 78; and

	WHEREAS, Jerry Hall was a veteran journalist who 
considered journalism his true calling; he also had a 
distinguished political consulting career and, over the
years, he worked for United States Representative George Mahon, 
Governor Preston Smith, Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes, and 
Senator John Montford; and

	WHEREAS, He was born August 12, 1926, in Stanton; he 
graduated from high school in 1943 and attended John Tarleton 
State College in Stephenville until he volunteered for duty with 
the Army Air Corps; he was about to go overseas when World War II 
ended; and

	WHEREAS, He enrolled in the school of journalism at
Texas Tech University in 1947; he became the editor of the 
student newspaper, The Toreador, where he met Mary Frances Vestal,
and they married on August 31, 1950; while attending college, he 
worked part-time at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal; and

	WHEREAS, After graduation, he worked as a copy editor at 
the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; he left this position to join the 
staff of United States Congressman George Mahon in Washington, D.C.,
but later returned to journalism at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal as 
a political writer and public affairs reporter; and

	WHEREAS, In 1965, he joined the Austin Capitol bureau of 
Fentress Papers and served as bureau chief; he was hired by 
Governor Preston Smith as press secretary and, after a brief 
stint in public relations, served as the director for the 
constitutional revision commission and the constitutional 
convention; he then became a political consultant, working on 
more than 60 political campaigns; and

	WHEREAS, Jerry Hall was elected state president of
Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, in 
1960; he won many awards, including a special citation from the 
Headliners Club in Austin, during his long and distinguished 
journalistic career and covered many memorable tragedies and 
events; his wit, his warmth, and his valued counsel will be 
missed by all who knew him; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the


bereaved family of Jerry Hall:  his wife, Mary; his daughter, 
Julie; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Sue; and his 
granddaughter, Sarah; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the 
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do 
so in memory of Jerry Hall.
                                                                      Barrientos




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 31, 2005, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate