82R25646 MGR-D

By: Madden H.R. No. 1879

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The loss of James Herbert Boswell on May 8, 2010, was keenly felt by the numerous friends that he made through the years as well as by the many people in Plano and beyond whose lives he forever enriched; and

WHEREAS, Born on November 18, 1938, in North Carolina to Ethel and Walter Boswell, Jim Boswell graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class; he went on to earn a degree in political science from George Washington University and worked as a bailiff at a district court; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell began his business career with the Campbell Soup Company, holding a number of positions over the course of two decades; in 1976, he moved to Plano and became a partner in a food brokerage firm and then a vice president of sales at a food company; he later served as a director of physician services at the Medical Center of Plano and subsequently was the administrative director of physician services at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, where he was responsible for recruiting and retaining more than 100 physicians; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Mr. Boswell was a member of the Plano City Council and the chair of its planning and zoning commission, as well as a former chair of the Plano Economic Development Board and the Plano Chamber of Commerce; he served on the boards of the Citizens Charter Review Commission, the Plano Library Foundation, and the local chapter of the United Way; in addition, he was the president of the local chapter of the American Heart Association and an active member of West Plano Presbyterian Church, which he served as an elder; moreover, he founded the Plano Lawnmower Brigade, a popular participant in the city's annual Fourth of July parade; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Boswell was recognized for his contributions with an award for his volunteerism in 1985, and he was named Plano Citizen of the Year in 1992; he was inducted into the STAR Children's Charity hall of fame and was the namesake and the first recipient of the charity's Jim Boswell Award, which honors individuals who exemplify the qualities of leadership and philanthropy for which Mr. Boswell was known; Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano recognized him with a commissioned portrait in their hall of honor, and he also received the John McVeigh Award from the Collin County Republican Party; and

WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Boswell enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Myra, with whom he shared nearly half a century, and their daughter, Leslie; consummate hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Boswell frequently entertained guests, and for three decades, they invited some 300 friends to their home for a Christmas Eve party; and

WHEREAS, With a hearty laugh, an upbeat disposition, and a genuine love of people, Mr. Boswell earned the admiration and affection of many, and the citizens of Plano were fortunate indeed to count him among their fellow residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of James Herbert Boswell and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Myra Boswell; to his daughter, Leslie Austin Boswell; to his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ellen and Richard Gerwig; to his niece and nephew, Avery and Brandon Gerwig; to his close friend and college roommate, Dr. Sandy Plevin; and to his many other friends and relatives; 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 Jim Boswell.