H.R. No. 129
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Citizens across North Texas and beyond have lost an
esteemed public servant with the passing of the Honorable Graham
Boynton Purcell, Jr., of Wichita Falls on June 11, 2011, at the age
of 92; and
WHEREAS, The son of Graham and Della Key Purcell, Graham
Purcell, Jr., was born and raised in Archer City; after graduating
from the local high school, he attended Texas A&M University and
served his country as a member of the U.S. Army's Horse Cavalry in
World War II; during his notable military tenure, he earned the rank
of commander of the Headquarters Company of the IV Army Corps, and
he was awarded the Army Silver Star for gallantry in action; and
WHEREAS, Following his honorable discharge in 1946,
Mr. Purcell continued his service as a member of the U.S. Army
Reserve; he resumed his studies at A&M and completed his bachelor's
degree before graduating from Baylor Law School and beginning his
legal career at firms in West Texas and Wichita Falls; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Purcell was appointed to the 89th District Court
by Governor Allan Shivers in 1955; six years later, he was elected
to represent the 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House of
Representatives, where he served for more than a decade; a member of
the agriculture and post office committees, he also helped to
reinstate the Congressional Prayer Breakfast and was instrumental
in bringing the NATO Pilot Training Program to Sheppard Air Force
Base; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Purcell concluded his exceptional tenure in
Congress in 1972 and went on to practice law as a founding partner
at Bishop, Cook, Purcell & Reynolds in Washington, D.C.; in 1988, he
returned home to Texas and played an active role in the Wichita
Falls community; he and his wife, Nancy, received the Patsy Baggett
Award for their efforts in behalf of children in crisis, and in
1993, he was recognized for his public service when the Graham
B. Purcell, Jr., Post Office and Federal Building was named in his
honor; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Purcell was blessed
with the support of his family, which eventually grew to include 8
children, 25 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren; preceded in
death by his first wife, Betty, he went on to share 40 years with his
second wife, Nancy; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his integrity and his gift for
storytelling, Graham Purcell was also known for being a good
listener and for bringing out the best in others; he made a
meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones and fellow
citizens alike, and his contributions to his community and to the
Lone Star State will resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
the Honorable Graham Boynton Purcell, Jr., and extend deepest
sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Nancy Attebury
Purcell; to his sons, Blaine Purcell and his wife, Barbara, Blake
Purcell and his wife, Cathy, Davis Purcell and his wife, Jenny, and
Kell Purcell and his wife, Beverly; to his daughters, Jannie
Stewart and her husband, Jay, Melissa Killmer and her husband,
Bill, May Lynn Turtletaub and her husband, David, and Sarah Bell and
her husband, Vincent; to his 25 grandchildren and 5
great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many 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 Graham
Boynton Purcell, Jr.
Lyne
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 129 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House