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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may help |
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comfort the family and many friends of Richard Alan Perkins of |
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Dallas, who passed away on February 26, 2015, at the age of 66; and |
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WHEREAS, Richard Perkins was born in Dallas on July 4, 1948, |
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to George and Effie Perkins; he earned the rank of Eagle Scout at |
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the age of 13 and graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1966; |
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from 1968-1970, he served in the United States Marine Corps, |
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volunteering for a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969; after he was |
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honorably discharged as a sergeant, he went on to earn an |
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associate's degree from Eastfield College and a bachelor's degree |
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from Amberton University; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Perkins began his professional career in |
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environmental health and safety, working for Western Electric and |
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Southwestern Bell; he later became a manager for Dallas Area Rapid |
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Transit before starting his own business remodeling homes; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to his professional accomplishments, |
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Mr. Perkins devoted countless hours to support the causes he |
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believed in; a lifelong advocate for working men and women, he was |
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an officer with the Communications Workers of America, and Governor |
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Ann Richards appointed him to one of three seats on the Texas |
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Industrial Accident Board; and |
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WHEREAS, Active in Democratic politics, Mr. Perkins helped |
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with many local and state campaigns, and he distinguished himself |
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as secretary of the Texas Democratic Party from 1978 to 1982; party |
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leaders in Dallas chose him to introduce presidential candidate |
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Barack Obama at an area rally in 2008, and Mr. Perkins remained |
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enthusiastically involved in politics, even during the last months |
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of his life as he battled cancer; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for his humor, generosity, and dedication, |
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Richard Perkins gave freely of his time and expertise to help |
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others, and he leaves behind a record of service that his loved ones |
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can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Richard Alan |
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Perkins and extend heartfelt sympathy to the members of his family: |
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to his children, Ashley Berkowski and her husband, Dustyn, and |
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Lindsay Jedlowski and her husband, Steven; to his grandchildren, |
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Kendal, Jacey, Owen, Colton, and Avery; to his siblings, Don |
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Perkins and his wife, Mary, and Carol Logan; and to his other |
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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 Richard |
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Alan Perkins. |