88R21206 BPG-D
By: Kuempel H.R. No. 2411
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Capitol community was deeply saddened by the
loss of Robert Irwin Kelly, former parliamentarian of the Texas
House of Representatives and director of the Texas Legislative
Council, who passed away on December 9, 2021, at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, Born to R. D. "Dick" Kelly and Betty Kelly in
Texarkana, Arkansas, on June 2, 1948, Bob Kelly grew up with a
sister, Debra; he excelled as a student, athlete, Eagle Scout, and
youth community leader, and along the way, he also took dance
lessons, earning the nickname "the Dancing Bear"; after initially
enrolling at the University of Arkansas on a football scholarship,
he wisely transferred to The University of Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly joined the Texas Legislative Council as
the "Xerox copy boy" and became a protégé of Robert E. Johnson, then
the agency's director and House parliamentarian; while learning the
ins and outs of legislative procedure and strategy, Mr. Kelly was
also embraced as a dear friend by the entire Johnson family; through
hard work and dedication, he became assistant parliamentarian, and
in 1981, Speaker Bill Clayton announced his appointment as
parliamentarian; and
WHEREAS, During his 21-year tenure as parliamentarian and
director of the Texas Legislative Council, Mr. Kelly also served
under Speakers Gib Lewis and Pete Laney; he taught rules classes,
mentored hundreds of council employees and freshman lawmakers, and
mediated battles between the political parties, demonstrating a
rare, statesmanlike ability to help people overcome their
differences; fiercely loyal to council staff, he was very
protective when legislators publicly attributed a drafting error or
undue delay to council staff; he was a brilliant tactician,
choosing his battles carefully, and although he set an example of
cordiality, he knew the value of a well-timed curse word, and he
made it a point to remember when someone was untruthful or broke a
promise; his efforts were always guided by respect for the
constitutions of the United States and Texas, as well as a profound
sense of public service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly was committed to the long-term success of
the Legislature; he oversaw the introduction of computers and
information technology to the legislative branch, and he was
instrumental in the development of the Robert E. Johnson Office
Building as a proper permanent home for the legislative support
agencies; in retirement, he continued to serve as a wise elder,
providing counsel to parliamentarians, legislators, and staff
alike; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly enjoyed many interests in his free time;
an avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Onion Creek Club; he
spent many happy hours hunting birds in Mexico and Port O'Connor in
the company of friends, and he maintained a private pilot's license
for years; he was a member of the board of the Coastal Conservation
Association Texas, a lifetime member of the Texas Trophy Hunters
Association, and a proud member of the Masonic Lodge; and
WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Kelly was devoted to his wife, Susan
Stewart; they traveled, dined, and entertained extensively, but
their most treasured moments were spent together on their QA Ranch
outside Seguin, where the couple had settled near Mr. Kelly's dear
friend, the late Representative Edmund Kuempel; in his retirement
years, Mr. Kelly delighted in managing the ranch and watching the
deer and other critters; following his passing, he was laid to rest
shoulder-to-shoulder with iconic musician Jerry Jeff Walker at the
Texas State Cemetery, where the two of them no doubt entertain one
another with songs and yarns, and indulge in an occasional Lone
Star; and
WHEREAS, Bob Kelly dedicated his long and noteworthy career
to the betterment of Texas, earning the lasting respect and
admiration of all who were privileged to know him, and his
contributions to state government will continue to resonate for
many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Robert Irwin Kelly
and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; 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 Bob Kelly.