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.
Madden
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1879 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 19, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House