81R7807 SKA-D
By: Gallego H.R. No. 493
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens of Del Rio lost a pioneering political
leader with the passing of Dorothy Gillis Gurley-Cauthorn on
December 3, 2007, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, Born in Del Rio on March 14, 1923, Dorothy Gillis
graduated from Del Rio High School in 1940; she earned a college
degree in 1944 from The University of Texas, where she was a member
of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Gurley-Cauthorn hailed from a family that had
produced a number of elected officials, including her father, Val
Verde County Judge Roger Gillis; maintaining that tradition, she
ran for student offices while in college and later entered state
politics; in 1950, she became the first woman elected to represent
District 87 in the Texas House of Representatives, where she served
two terms before opting to conclude her tenure in 1955; after
leaving the legislature, she was chair of the local Democratic
Party for many years, and she had the satisfaction of seeing her
daughter, Susan Gurley McBee, win election as a state
representative; to date, these two women are the only
mother-daughter pair to serve in the Texas Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Accomplished in many fields of endeavor, Mrs.
Gurley-Cauthorn helped run her family's ranch and took a prominent
role in her community; her activities included participation in the
Fine Arts Club of Del Rio, the organization of story hour at Val
Verde County Library, and lifelong membership at Saint James
Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy Gurley-Cauthorn established an admirable
record of service with her groundbreaking political career and
extensive civic involvement; although she is deeply missed, her
legacy will resonate in her community for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dorothy Gillis
Gurley-Cauthorn and that sincere sympathy be extended to the
members of her family: to her daughter, Susan Gurley McBee, and her
husband, Larry; to her son, Gillis Gurley, and his wife, Clara Dyer;
to her grandchildren, Jacqueline Susan Gurley, Jake Gillis Gurley,
and J. R. McBee and his wife, Missy Qualia; to her
great-grandchildren, Jack and Kate McBee; to her nieces, Nancy
Gillis Sobak and Patsy Gillis Hill; to her nephew, Roger Walter
Gillis; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dorothy
Gillis Gurley-Cauthorn.