| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, A life filled with notable accomplishments and |
|
|
meaningful service drew to a close with the passing of the Honorable |
|
|
Charles D. Kirkham, Jr., of Cleburne on April 16, 2010, at the age |
|
|
of 84; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Charles Kirkham was born in Cleburne on July 28, |
|
|
1925, to Charles D. Kirkham, Sr., and Mary Ellen Payne Kirkham; |
|
|
after graduating from Cleburne High School in 1943, he served with |
|
|
the 94th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II, and |
|
|
his valiant actions were recognized with the Purple Heart, the |
|
|
Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Bronze Star; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Kirkham continued his education |
|
|
at Texas A&M University, becoming president of the student senate |
|
|
and earning his degree in 1950; he went on to establish a successful |
|
|
career with Merrill Lynch and retired as a vice president after 45 |
|
|
years with the company; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. |
|
|
Kirkham dedicated himself to public service and to addressing |
|
|
important issues in his state; in 1954, voters in Cleburne and |
|
|
Johnson County elected him to the Texas House of Representatives, |
|
|
and he was a member of the 53rd and 54th Texas Legislatures; in |
|
|
addition, he was chair of the Texas Good Roads/Transportation |
|
|
Association, and he earned the prestigious Road Hand Award from the |
|
|
Texas Transportation Commission in 1993; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, His leadership skills were also put to good use in |
|
|
his service as Texas chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and |
|
|
Reserve organization and as a member of the board of the Texas A&M |
|
|
University Association of Former Students; moreover, he was a |
|
|
founding member of the Dallas Friday Group and a congregant of |
|
|
Highland Park Presbyterian Church; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his nation, his community, and his |
|
|
family, Charles Kirkham made a positive difference in the lives of |
|
|
his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and his contributions |
|
|
will be remembered and admired for years to come; now, therefore, be |
|
|
it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Charles D. Kirkham, |
|
|
Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to |
|
|
his sons, Chad Kirkham and his wife, Leanne, and Colin Kirkham and |
|
|
his wife, Allison; to his daughter, Cathy Burhen; to his |
|
|
grandchildren, Paris Burhen, Pallas Burhen, Paige Kirkham, Jack |
|
|
Kirkham, and Chad Kirkham; to his sister, Wilma Kirkham Reed; to his |
|
|
nieces, Karen Malone and Sylvia Massey; and to his other relatives |
|
|
and 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 Charles |
|
|
Kirkham. |
| |
|
|
Orr |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Speaker of the House |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 1019 was unanimously adopted by a |
|
|
rising vote of the House on April 7, 2011. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |