83R8470 STE-D
By: Callegari H.R. No. 799
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A recognized leader in water resource management,
James Joseph Burke of Cypress, passed away on April 2, 2012, at the
age of 65, having positively impacted the lives of numerous people
with his dedication to serving the greater good; and
WHEREAS, Jim Burke was born on May 2, 1946, in Natchez,
Mississippi, where he went on to graduate from Cathedral High
School; and
WHEREAS, Eventually settling in Southeast Texas, Mr. Burke
became a leader in water district operation; he was elected to the
board of directors of Northwest Harris County MUD No. 5 in 1990 and
served that body for a decade before being appointed to the North
Harris County Regional Water Authority Board; he later
distinguished himself as president of the board of directors of
Harris County MUD No. 366 from 2002 until the time of his death;
along the way, he was elected as a member of the Association of
Water Board Directors--Texas, which he twice led as president; he
further benefited his fellow citizens as general manager of
Northwest Harris County MUD No. 5 from 2000 to 2011; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Burke's efforts in behalf of the community
expressed itself in other ways as well; he was active in the Knights
of Columbus for 28 years and was a charter member of Anton J.
Frank--Council No. 8771 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church;
although faced with physical challenges for much of his life, he was
not one to complain and was greatly admired as a man who met
adversity head on; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Burke enjoyed the love
and support of his wife, Mary, with whom he took great pleasure in
raising a blended family of four children; and
WHEREAS, Jim Burke made a meaningful difference in the world
around him, and he is fondly remembered and deeply missed by all
those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of James Joseph Burke
and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Mary Burke; to his son, John Patrick Burke; to his
stepdaughters, Theresa Wall and her husband, Marcus, Christy Shaw
and her husband, Donald, and Cathy Posey; to his grandchildren,
Brandon and Lauren Wall, Dylan and Blake Shaw, and Natalie Burke; to
his sisters, Mary Alice Flournoy and her husband, James, and Karen
Morrow and her husband, Carl; 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 James
Joseph Burke.