S.C.R. No. 42
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of the Honorable Sam Wilson Russell, who died
May 14, 2014, at the age of 68; and
WHEREAS, Sam Russell was born on August 31, 1945, in Gilmer;
he attended public schools in Mount Pleasant, and during high
school, he served as a White House page under the guidance of
Congressman Wright Patman; he went on to earn degrees from East
Texas State University and the South Texas College of Law; and
WHEREAS, He married one of his best friends from high school,
Janet Sue Cox, in 1978; they raised two children together, Monica
and Clay, and were blessed with two grandchildren, Tyler and Jack;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Russell joined his father's law firm in Mount
Pleasant in 1979; he was elected to the Texas House of
Representatives in 1982 and served the people of Northeast Texas
with distinction for nearly 10 years; he was an influential member
of a number of committees and served as chair of the Criminal
Jurisprudence Committee and as House majority leader; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Russell left the legislature in 1992 to serve as
legislative director for Governor Ann Richards; after leaving the
governor's office, he worked as a governmental affairs director,
primarily representing interests in the fields of housing and
transportation; and
WHEREAS, He returned to his hometown of Mount Pleasant in
2005 and resumed the private practice of civil and criminal law; he
went on to serve as Titus County judge from 2006 to 2010; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his distinguished career in
public service, he received numerous honors; he was named
Legislator of the Year by the Texas Transit Association, and he
received a Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Chamber of
Commerce; he was recognized by the Texas State Teachers Association
and the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association for
his commitment to public education; and
WHEREAS, He was active in a number of civic and philanthropic
organizations, including the Mount Pleasant Rotary Club, Temple
Lodge 70 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Mount
Pleasant-Titus County Chamber of Commerce, and the Snow Hill
Cemetery Association; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and integrity, he gave
generously to others, and his wisdom and his enthusiasm for living
each day to the fullest will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Sam
Wilson Russell; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his
family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Legislature and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do
so in memory of Sam Wilson Russell.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 42 was adopted by the Senate
on April 29, 2015.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 42 was adopted by the House
on May 21, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor