Bill Text: TX HR2003 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Richard Preston Ritchie.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-19 - Reported enrolled [HR2003 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR2003-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 2003 |
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WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed civic leader and legendary | ||
football player drew to a close with the passing of Richard Preston | ||
Ritchie on May 11, 2023, at the age of 68; and | ||
WHEREAS, Born on May 2, 1955, in Mineral Wells, Richard | ||
Ritchie was the son of John and Ann Ritchie; he gained national | ||
acclaim on the gridiron during his years at Texas A&I University, | ||
compiling a remarkable 39-0 record as the starting quarterback and | ||
leading the Javelinas to undefeated seasons in 1974, 1975, and 1976 | ||
that yielded three Lone Star Conference crowns and three NAIA | ||
Division I championships; named Most Valuable Player of the 1974 | ||
NAIA title game, he also garnered the 1975-1976 NAIA and LSC Player | ||
of the Year honors; he graduated with a degree in education and | ||
kinesiology in 1977, and he later created the Richard Ritchie | ||
Endowment in support of the school's athletic programs; he was | ||
inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame, the LSC Hall of Honor, and | ||
the College Football Hall of Fame, and he earned the Distinguished | ||
Alumni Award for his continuing involvement with the university; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, Mr. Ritchie went on to serve as an assistant | ||
football coach at The University of Texas at Austin, the University | ||
of North Texas, and Texas Tech University; after receiving his | ||
juris doctor degree from St. Mary's University in 1991, he embarked | ||
on his career as an attorney, following the tradition set by four | ||
previous generations in his family; he joined his father's | ||
practice, the Richard P. Ritchie Law firm in Mineral Wells, and he | ||
was a prominent member of the community, serving as an attorney for | ||
the Palo Pinto Water District and as a director of the First State | ||
Bank of Mineral Wells and the Brazos Foundation; moreover, he was | ||
president of the Noon Lions Club and captain of the Palo Pinto | ||
County Sheriff's Posse, and he also distinguished himself as a | ||
rancher, another occupation long pursued by the members of his | ||
family; and | ||
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ritchie enjoyed the love | ||
and support of his wife, Penny, his daughters, Leslie Kay and Lacie, | ||
and his five grandchildren; and | ||
WHEREAS, While the death of Richard Ritchie brings great | ||
sadness to his loved ones, he leaves behind a legacy that will long | ||
be treasured by all who held him dear; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Richard Preston | ||
Ritchie and extend deepest condolences to the members of his | ||
family: to his wife, Penny Ritchie; to his daughters, Leslie Kay | ||
Ritchie Robnett and her husband, Kevin, and Lacie Ritchie Austin | ||
and her husband, Matthew; to his grandchildren, Elisha, Cyrus, | ||
Arleigh, Sky, and Sydney; and to his other relatives and 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 Richard | ||
Ritchie. | ||
Troxclair | ||
Rogers | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 2003 was unanimously adopted by a | ||
rising vote of the House on May 18, 2023. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||