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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of John |
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Edward Davis, Jr., of Austin, who died on December 28, 2008, at the |
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age of 57; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Abilene to John and Dolores Davis on |
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December 20, 1951, Johnny Davis grew up in Midland, where he played |
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football for Midland High School; he later earned a degree from The |
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University of Texas at Austin and began his career in publishing |
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with the Prentice Hall Company; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Davis went on to make a name for himself as the |
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talented, self-taught cartographer of a series of maps illustrating |
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the history of Texas; his "1836 Republic of Texas" and "1845 State |
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of Texas" maps displayed his deep knowledge of the state's history, |
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using muted earth tones and a flourished script to detail battle |
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sites and early settlements; the maps often featured the yellow |
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rose of Texas as a compass; and |
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WHEREAS, Hugely popular among Texans in all walks of life, |
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the maps have been displayed in the offices of governors, state |
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legislators, and football coach Darrell K. Royal, as well as in bank |
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lobbies and on the set of the popular television show Walker, Texas |
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Ranger, and they have been purchased by buyers all over the world; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The passion that Mr. Davis felt for his home state |
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extended to the land's scenic wonders; he loved hiking and camping |
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and watching the sun set over Lake Travis; until the end of his |
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life, he was a dedicated Longhorns fan; and |
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WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and friends, Johnny Davis was |
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a warmhearted and exuberant man with a deep commitment to the |
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history and heritage of the Lone Star State, and the beautiful maps |
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that he created will continue to delight, educate, and inspire |
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Texans for generations to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of John Edward Davis, |
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Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to |
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his daughters, Laura Davis Scace and Carolyn Davis; to his former |
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spouse, Betsy Kerr Davis; to his parents, John and Dolores Davis; to |
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his brother, Ben Davis; to his soul mate and best friend, Marilyn |
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Bryan; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Edward |
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Davis, Jr. |