TITLE: In memory of former state representative Richard James "Dick" Burnett of San Angelo.

SUMMARY: In memory of former state representative Richard James "Dick" Burnett of San Angelo.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life filled with meaningful achievements drew to a close with the passing of former state representative Richard James Burnett of San Angelo on September 17, 2016, at the age of 94; and WHEREAS, Dick Burnett was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 15, 1922, to Rollo and Margaret Burnett; after graduating from Toledo Central Catholic High School in 1940, he attended Toledo University until 1943, when he answered his nation's call to duty and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces; he trained as a pilot at a number of bases in Texas, including Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, and he served with the 310th Fighter Squadron, flying a P-47 "Thunderbolt" in the Pacific theater; and WHEREAS, Following his return to civilian life in 1945, Mr. Burnett earned a bachelor's degree in business from Toledo University in 1947, and that same year, he was joined in matrimony to the former Margery Hurt; the couple shared their lives for 41 years until her death in 1989, and together they raised three sons, William, Thomas, and John; their treasured family later grew to include four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, In 1947, Mr. Burnett embarked on a three-decade career with the FBI, and he went on to serve in New York, Toledo, Tucson, and Puerto Rico; he was assigned to Dallas in 1964 to help investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the following year he settled with his family in San Angelo, where he worked his final assignment; after retiring from the FBI in 1978, he won election as the city's chief of police and headed the department for two years; and WHEREAS, In 1980, Mr. Burnett was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, and he ultimately served a total of four terms in office; during his tenure in the legislature, he frequently drew on his expertise with police operations and the legal system, chairing the Public Safety Committee, serving as vice chair of the Law Enforcement Committee, and holding membership on the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, in addition to taking on numerous other responsibilities at the State Capitol; he retired from the house in 1989; and WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan further contributed to San Angelo through his work as president of the Community Justice Council, Adult Daycare, Crime Stoppers, Family Shelter, and the Retired Volunteer Program and as director of the Tom Green County Tax Appraisal Board, the Public Responsibility Committee, and the United Way; and WHEREAS, A proud veteran, an accomplished law enforcement professional, and a dedicated elected official, Dick Burnett will be deeply missed, but his integrity, patriotism, and generosity of spirit will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Richard James Burnett and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his sons, William Burnett and his wife, Pamela, Thomas Burnett, and John Burnett; to his grandchildren, Michael Burnett and his wife, Ella, Catherine Fierbaugh and her husband, Stephen, and Macary and Macy Burnett; to his great-grandchildren, Conner and Julianne Burnett and Ezra Fierbaugh; 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 James Burnett. Darby Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 903 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 23, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House