87R26573 KSM-D
By: Thompson of Harris H.R. No. 1180
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former state representative Michael Hamilton of
Mauriceville passed away on November 8, 2019, at the age of 58,
bringing a profound loss to his loved ones, to the friends he made
at the statehouse, and to the many people whose lives he benefited
through his public service; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 30, 1961, Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton
was the son of Michael Hamilton and Carrie Hebert and the eldest of
their six children; he studied at Lamar University and worked a
series of jobs in the food and beverage industry before purchasing
Tuffy's Eatery in Mauriceville in 1990; although he eventually sold
the restaurant in 2005, the nickname "Tuffy" followed him
throughout his life; he continued serving Southern comfort food at
the second eatery he owned, Hamilton's Restaurant and Bar, which he
opened in Port Arthur in 2017, and at the time of his passing, he was
the owner of The West Bar and Grill in Beaumont; as a successful
restaurateur, he at one time led the Texas Restaurant Association
as president; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, Mr. Hamilton embarked on the first of five
consecutive terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where he
worked to advance the interests of his constituents in Hardin,
Newton, and Orange Counties until concluding his tenure in 2013;
during his years in office, he chaired the Licensing and
Administrative Procedures Committee and the Natural Resources
Committee, and he served as co-chair of the Texas Environmental
Flows Advisory Group and as vice chair of the Local Government Ways
and Means Committee and the Select Committee on Emergency
Preparedness; he was known for being friendly and affable to his
fellow lawmakers, including those from across the aisle, and he
always treated his staff with great respect; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hamilton was a devoted husband and father who
embraced family values in every area of his life; he shared 32 years
of marriage with his wife, Terry Hamilton, and was blessed with four
children, Melissa, Lacey, Kevin, and Michael, and five
grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Gabby, Emily, and Sophie; he
cherished the time he spent with his loved ones at gatherings, where
he always made certain that everyone around him was enjoying
themselves as much as he was; and
WHEREAS, Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton worked to better the lives of
his fellow Texans with generosity, enthusiasm, and unwavering
commitment, and he leaves behind a record of service that his loved
ones can remember with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of former state
representative Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton and extend deepest
condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Terry
Hamilton; to his mother, Carrie Hebert; to his children, Melissa
Eggleton and her husband, Mike, Lacey Coyne and her husband, Alex,
Kevin Sensat and his wife, Kim, and Michael Hamilton; to his
grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Gabby, Emily, and Sophie; to his
siblings, Paula Adams and her husband, Ricky, Ginger Provost and
her husband, Reagan, Kip Hamilton and his wife, Cara, Greg Hamilton
and his wife, Colinda, and Blaine Hamilton and his wife, Alicia; 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 Michael
"Tuffy" Hamilton.