84R20430 CJM-D
By: Meyer H.R. No. 2444
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, John M. Turner of Dallas has rendered exceptional
service to visually impaired individuals in his community and
across the state, and his efforts have enriched the lives of
countless Texans; and
WHEREAS, After losing his sight completely by age 17,
Mr. Turner earned a bachelor of business administration degree in
marketing from the University of North Texas, where he was elected
student body president; he went on to become one of the most
successful insurance agents in Dallas, working first with
Massachusetts Mutual and since 1970 as an independent broker; and
WHEREAS, A tireless advocate for the visually impaired,
Mr. Turner served for more than three decades on the Texas
Commission for the Blind, and he was appointed chair of the board by
Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush; he also served for 21
years on the board of Dallas Services for Visually Impaired
Children, for 22 years on the board of Dallas Lighthouse for the
Blind, and for 23 years on the board of the Retina Foundation of the
Southwest; in addition, he has been a member of the boards of Dallas
Taping for the Blind and The Seeing Eye, as well as a member of the
Texas Committee on Purchases of Products and Services of Blind and
Severely Disabled Persons; moreover, he has mentored a number of
young men who are blind, encouraging them to persevere in realizing
their full potential; and
WHEREAS, John Turner has further given of his time and
energies to the YMCA, coaching the Park Cities boys baseball team,
chairing a membership drive for the downtown Y, and assisting Camp
Grady Spruce as a membership quota buster; he has also served on the
board of trustees of the Leukemia Society of America Dallas
Chapter; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding civic engagement,
Mr. Turner has received a number of well-deserved accolades; The
Seeing Eye presented him with the 1995 Morris Frank Award, which
honors graduates of The Seeing Eye who have achieved professional
success and who have helped to create opportunities for the
visually impaired, and in 1997, KRLD News Radio in Dallas named him
Citizen of the Week; in 2000, this esteemed Texan received the
Catherine T. "Kay" Gallagher Award from the American Foundation for
the Blind Southwest; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, John Turner has set an
inspiring example of leadership and professional excellence, and
his significant efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens are truly
deserving of commendation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby honor John M. Turner for his extensive service
to those who are visually impaired and for his many other civic
contributions and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Turner as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.