SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 245
In Memory
of
Hugh Parmer
WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Hugh Quay Parmer of
Fort Worth on May 27, 2020, at the age of 80, concluded a remarkable
life of public service that included contributions as a state
legislator, a mayor, and a federal government official; and
WHEREAS, A Fort Worth native, Hugh Parmer was born to the
Reverend Quay Parmer and Mary Louise Parmer on August 3, 1939; he
graduated from Yale University and earned a master's degree from
The University of Texas at Arlington; elected to the Texas
Legislature when he was just 23 years old, he was at that time the
youngest member to serve in the house of representatives; he went
on to hold positions with the Peace Corps and the U.S. Department
of Commerce during the administration of President Lyndon
B. Johnson; returning to Fort Worth, he joined the city council
in 1975, and after winning election as mayor two years later, he
focused on advancing accountability, transparency, and the
diversity of the local court system; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, Mr. Parmer won a seat in the Texas
Senate, and during the eight years that he was a member of that
chamber, he secured passage of legislation that provided hunger
relief for hundreds of thousands of Texans, as well as bills that
required health insurers to cover Alzheimer's disease care and
mammograms; moreover, he chaired the intergovernmental relations
committee for two sessions and served as president pro tempore
during the 71st Legislature; during this period, he also studied
law on his own, and he passed the bar in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Called to federal service again in 1998,
Mr. Parmer was appointed by President Bill Clinton to head of the
Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance of the U.S. Agency for
International Development; in that capacity, he managed disaster
relief efforts in more than 80 countries, from war-torn Kosovo
and famine-plagued Ethiopia to Caribbean nations ravaged by
hurricanes; he then relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and
spent six years as president of the American Refugee Committee;
in retirement, he returned to Texas and became an adjunct
professor, inspiring students at a number of universities; in all
his endeavors, he was supported by his wife, Evelyn, with whom he
shared 55 years of marriage, and he took great pride in his
children, Travis and Elizabeth, and in his granddaughter,
Claire; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Parmer devoted his career to improving the
lives of people across Texas and around the world, and although
he is deeply missed, his exceptional achievements will continue
to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Hugh Quay Parmer
and extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
this day, it do so in memory of Hugh Parmer.
Powell, Whitmire, Zaffirini
______________________________
Member, Texas Senate
______________________________
Member, Texas Senate
______________________________
Member, Texas Senate
______________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 13, 2021,
by a rising vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate