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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Former State Representative Robert R. Turner of |
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Voss, an ardent champion of rural Texas, passed away on |
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June 19, 2022, at the age of 87; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Coleman on August 10, 1934, Bob Turner was |
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the son of Willard and Helen Turner; after graduating from high |
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school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of |
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lieutenant colonel during almost 35 years in the military; he |
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commanded a reserve unit, the 490th Civil Affairs Company, and |
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received the prestigious Silver Cross of Honor from Germany's armed |
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forces for his work in negotiations among the U.S., NATO, and |
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Germany during the Cold War; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Turner established Bob Turner's Western Wear in |
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1958 and ran the business for two decades; subsequently, he focused |
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on farming and ranching at the old homestead in Voss; he benefited |
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his community as president of the local school board and of the |
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chamber of commerce; having distinguished himself as vice president |
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of the Texas Farm Bureau, he was urged to enter a special election |
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for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1991; throughout |
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his 12-year tenure in office, he was a tireless advocate for his |
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constituents and all rural Texans; he chaired the Public Safety |
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Committee and served as vice chair of both the Land and Resource |
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Management Committee and the Select Committee on Military and |
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Veterans Affairs; his legislative accomplishments included bills |
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to enhance property rights, create a statewide insurance pool for |
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rural fire departments, and establish the Office of Rural Community |
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Affairs; in 1995, he secured passage of a bill that penalized |
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statements about agricultural products when proved false, |
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disparaging, and economically harmful; while in office, he loved to |
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talk up his famously hardworking staff, and even after he retired, |
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he continued to gather with them to catch up and reminisce; and |
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WHEREAS, In his next chapter, Mr. Turner founded a consulting |
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company to continue his efforts in behalf of rural interests; he |
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enjoyed working with such organizations as the Texas Sheep and Goat |
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Raisers Association, the Independent Cattlemen's Association, and |
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the Earthmoving Contractors Association of Texas; in addition, he |
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was executive director of the Coleman Development Company; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his first wife, |
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Ann Holt Turner, and his second wife, Mona Faye Cook Turner; he took |
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great pride in his three sons, Sam, Darrel, and Gary, as well as his |
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stepson, Steven Saloman, his seven grandchildren, and his |
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great-granddaughter; a man of faith, he led the singing at the |
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Methodist church in Voss, and his sonorous voice could make the |
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small congregation sound like a mighty choir; he also played |
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guitar, and back in the day, he often performed on radio station |
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KSTA and on Slim Willet's show on KRBC; through the years, he kept |
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in touch with old friends and former colleagues, serving as a father |
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figure to many and an inspiration to all; and |
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WHEREAS, Admired for his warmth, kindness, and wonderful |
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sense of humor, as well as his long record of service, Bob Turner |
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made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless people, and |
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his contributions will be remembered for years to come; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable |
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Robert R. Turner and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his |
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passing; 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 Robert R. |
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"Bob" Turner. |