SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 330
In Memory
of
James A. Turman
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of James A. "Jimmy" Turman, who died
February 13, 2019, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Turman was an exemplary citizen and an
effective public servant whose work as speaker of the Texas House
of Representatives played an important role in putting the state
on a sound fiscal footing; and
WHEREAS, Born November 29, 1927, he earned degrees at East
Texas State Teachers College and served as a junior high school
principal in Paris before entering the armed forces as a member
of the United States Navy; after his military service, he earned
a doctorate in education and psychology from The University of
Texas in 1957; and
WHEREAS, While still attending college, he followed his
passion for politics, and in 1954, he won his first election to
the Texas Legislature; he was elected speaker of the House in
1961 and was responsible for the passage of a broad-based
statewide sales tax; he also presided over legislation that
provided a pay raise for Texas teachers; and
WHEREAS, After leaving elective politics, he served in a
number of governmental offices; he was chief of staff for United
States Congressman Jim Mattox and was regional director of a
government resettlement program that assisted Vietnamese
refugeesafterthefallofSaigon;heconcludedhiscareerin
public service by serving as a senior research analyst in the
Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts under Bob
Bullock; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Turman was blessed with a wonderful family;
his wife, Joan Turman, his four stepchildren, his late son, Art
Turman, and his grandchild and five stepgrandchildren were a
source of much pride and joy for him; and
WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and generosity, he
gave unselfishly to others, and his wisdom, his commitment to
public service, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the
fullest will not be forgotten by those who were privileged to
share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of James A. Turman; 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
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Jimmy Turman.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 7, 2019, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate