Bill Text: TX HCR139 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of former Texas secretary of state Myra McDaniel.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-21 - Signed by the Governor [HCR139 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HCR139-Enrolled.html

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H.C.R. No. 139

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost an admired public servant
and civic leader with the death of former secretary of state Myra
McDaniel of Austin on February 25, 2010, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia on December 13, 1932, the
former Myra Atwell was the daughter of Eva and Toronto Atwell; she
attended the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls and
earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of
Pennsylvania; after her marriage to Reuben McDaniel, she became the
proud mother of two children, Diane and Reuben; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. McDaniel began her career as a management
analyst and served in administrative positions at Baldwin Wallace
College in Ohio and at Indiana University; in 1975, she completed
her law degree at The University of Texas School of Law and she went
on to work in the office of the Texas attorney general; she became
chief of the taxation division in 1979 and then worked as counsel
for the Railroad Commission before entering private practice in
Midland; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Governor Mark White appointed Mrs. McDaniel
as his general counsel; she became the first African American
secretary of state in Texas history two years later, and her
intellect, integrity, and wisdom greatly benefited her fellow
citizens; treating all those around her with thoughtfulness and
respect, she won the loyalty of her staff and set a sterling example
of leadership during her three-year tenure; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed woman continued to serve as a mentor
and role model after returning to private practice, and in 1995, she
became one of the first African American women to lead a major law
firm, Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever
and McDaniel, as
managing partner; over the course of her distinguished legal
career, she served as counsel for Austin Community College and
Capital Metro, and she continued to work part-time for Bickerstaff
Heath well into her seventies; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to her community, Mrs. McDaniel won
numerous awards for her contributions; she served on the boards of
St. Edward's University, Seton Hospital, the Episcopal Seminary of
the Southwest, and many other organizations; a valued member of St.
James Episcopal Church, she served as a senior warden and edited the
church newsletter; more than a mere fan of the UT women's basketball
team, she generously shared her time and expertise with young
athletes, offering special encouragement over the years to those
interested in pursuing law degrees; and
WHEREAS, Myra McDaniel inspired innumerable people through
her remarkable achievements and unyielding dedication to public
service, and her positive influence will continue to resonate in
the myriad lives she touched in the years to come; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay special tribute to the memory of Myra McDaniel and extend
sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her husband,
Reuben R. McDaniel, Jr.; to her children, Diane Rhodes and Reuben
McDaniel III; to her seven grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren; and to her many other relatives and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Myra McDaniel.
Beck
Coleman
Thompson
Straus Gonzales of Williamson Morrison
Aliseda Gonzalez Munoz, Jr.
Allen Gooden Murphy
Alonzo Guillen Naishtat
Alvarado Gutierrez Nash
Anchia Hamilton Oliveira
Anderson of Dallas Hancock Orr
Anderson of McLennan Hardcastle Otto
Aycock Harless Parker
Beck Harper-Brown Patrick
Berman Hartnett Paxton
Bohac Hernandez Luna Pena
Bonnen Hilderbran Perry
Branch Hochberg Phillips
Brown Hopson Pickett
Burkett Howard of Fort Bend Pitts
Burnam Howard of Travis Price
Button Huberty Quintanilla
Cain Hughes Raymond
Callegari Hunter Reynolds
Carter Isaac Riddle
Castro Jackson Ritter
Chisum Johnson Rodriguez
Christian Keffer Schwertner
Coleman King of Parker Scott
Cook King of Taylor Sheets
Craddick King of Zavala Sheffield
Creighton Kleinschmidt Shelton
Crownover Kolkhorst Simpson
Darby Kuempel Smith of Harris
Davis of Dallas Landtroop Smith of Tarrant
J. Davis of Harris Larson Smithee
S. Davis of Harris Laubenberg Solomons
Deshotel Lavender Strama
Driver Legler Taylor of Collin
Dukes Lewis Taylor of Galveston
Dutton Lozano Thompson
Eiland Lucio III Torres
Eissler Lyne Truitt
Elkins Madden Turner
Farias Mallory Caraway Veasey
Farrar Margo Villarreal
Fletcher Marquez Vo
Flynn Martinez Walle
Frullo Martinez Fischer Weber
Gallego McClendon White
Garza Menendez Woolley
Geren Miles Workman
Giddings Miller of Comal Zedler
Gonzales of Hidalgo Miller of Erath Zerwas
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 139 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 139 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on May 9, 2011.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor