H.R. No. 187
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich by meaningful service to our nation
was tragically cut short with the death of Vernon Hunter of Cedar
Park on February 18, 2010; and
WHEREAS, A longtime employee of the Internal Revenue Service,
Mr. Hunter was killed during an attack on the IRS headquarters in
the Echelon Building in Austin; and
WHEREAS, Vernon Hunter was raised in Orangeburg, South
Carolina; at the age of two months, he was adopted by another family
named Jackson, and though he kept his original surname, he and his
four adoptive brothers often called themselves "the Other Jackson
Five"; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Hunter
joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and served for two decades, including
two tours of duty in Vietnam in the late 1960s; he impressed his
fellow soldiers with his calm, measured manner and his dedication
to his duty; and
WHEREAS, Following his military service, he worked for a time
as a substitute teacher in El Paso before he was recruited by the
IRS; he worked for the agency for 27 years, and in the mid-1990s he
joined the Austin office, where he was a highly respected manager;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hunter was devoted to his family and his faith
and was a member of the usher board at the Greater Mount Zion
Baptist Church; he was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins
football team and of Texas barbecue; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Mr. Hunter's lifetime of service,
the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund and the
National Treasury Employees Union have established the Vernon
Hunter Memorial Scholarship, which will award $5,000 every year to
a federal employee or dependent who demonstrates outstanding
achievement in academics and community service; and
WHEREAS, Vernon Hunter's commitment, compassion, and
integrity were an inspiration to many people, and his contributions
as a soldier, a civil servant, and a caring member of the community
will continue to 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 Vernon Hunter and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Valerie Hunter; to his children, Donald, Ken, and Christine;
to his grandchildren, Don, Jolene, Lutisia, Sienna, Quinn,
Savannah, and Athena; to his great-granddaughter, Anastasia; to his
stepchildren, Justin, Crystin, and Tara Jackson; 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 Vernon
Hunter.
Schwertner
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 187 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House