H.R. No. 129

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Citizens across North Texas and beyond have lost an esteemed public servant with the passing of the Honorable Graham Boynton Purcell, Jr., of Wichita Falls on June 11, 2011, at the age of 92; and

WHEREAS, The son of Graham and Della Key Purcell, Graham Purcell, Jr., was born and raised in Archer City; after graduating from the local high school, he attended Texas A&M University and served his country as a member of the U.S. Army's Horse Cavalry in World War II; during his notable military tenure, he earned the rank of commander of the Headquarters Company of the IV Army Corps, and he was awarded the Army Silver Star for gallantry in action; and

WHEREAS, Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Mr. Purcell continued his service as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve; he resumed his studies at A&M and completed his bachelor's degree before graduating from Baylor Law School and beginning his legal career at firms in West Texas and Wichita Falls; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purcell was appointed to the 89th District Court by Governor Allan Shivers in 1955; six years later, he was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for more than a decade; a member of the agriculture and post office committees, he also helped to reinstate the Congressional Prayer Breakfast and was instrumental in bringing the NATO Pilot Training Program to Sheppard Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Purcell concluded his exceptional tenure in Congress in 1972 and went on to practice law as a founding partner at Bishop, Cook, Purcell & Reynolds in Washington, D.C.; in 1988, he returned home to Texas and played an active role in the Wichita Falls community; he and his wife, Nancy, received the Patsy Baggett Award for their efforts in behalf of children in crisis, and in 1993, he was recognized for his public service when the Graham B. Purcell, Jr., Post Office and Federal Building was named in his honor; and

WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Purcell was blessed with the support of his family, which eventually grew to include 8 children, 25 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren; preceded in death by his first wife, Betty, he went on to share 40 years with his second wife, Nancy; and

WHEREAS, Admired for his integrity and his gift for storytelling, Graham Purcell was also known for being a good listener and for bringing out the best in others; he made a meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and his contributions to his community and to the Lone Star State will resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Graham Boynton Purcell, Jr., and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Nancy Attebury Purcell; to his sons, Blaine Purcell and his wife, Barbara, Blake Purcell and his wife, Cathy, Davis Purcell and his wife, Jenny, and Kell Purcell and his wife, Beverly; to his daughters, Jannie Stewart and her husband, Jay, Melissa Killmer and her husband, Bill, May Lynn Turtletaub and her husband, David, and Sarah Bell and her husband, Vincent; to his 25 grandchildren and 5 great-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 Graham Boynton Purcell, Jr.

Lyne

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 129 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House