TITLE: In memory of Tom Diamond of El Paso.

SUMMARY: In memory of Tom Diamond of El Paso.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The citizens of El Paso lost an esteemed political and civic leader with the passing of Thomas Mulford Diamond on July 8, 2017, at the age of 94; and WHEREAS, Born in Long Beach, California, on March 28, 1923, Tom Diamond was the son of Violet and Thomas Diamond; after graduating from Dorsey High School in West Los Angeles in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country proudly in the Pacific theater of World War II; following his military service, he earned an engineering degree at Stanford University, where he met his future wife, Carolyn; the couple married on New Year's Day in 1949 and went on to share nearly seven decades together; and WHEREAS, A member of the active reserve, Mr. Diamond was called to duty again during the Korean War, and while stationed at Fort Bliss, he was assigned to the guided missile program; he went on to study law at Baylor University, graduating with honors in 1957; two years later, he arrived in El Paso and began his career as a highway engineer; he accepted a position as an assistant to County Judge Woodrow Bean, and he worked on such projects as the construction of Sun Bowl Stadium and Transmountain Road; and WHEREAS, Mr. Diamond eventually transitioned into the private practice of law, and over the course of his career, his keen legal acumen earned him the respect and admiration of his peers; along the way, he became an active member of the Democratic Party and formed friendships with both John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson; he believed strongly in the power of diplomacy to promote peace, and he used his own skills as a negotiator to advocate for the Tigua Indians of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, helping them to attain both state and federal recognition as a Native American tribe in the 1960s; and WHEREAS, For many years, Mr. Diamond had the pleasure of operating a cattle ranch alongside his son, Jack, and in retirement, he authored two novels, Rimfire and Apache Tears,and an autobiography, Moon Spell;he was a loving and supportive family man who cherished his wife and son, and his later life was blessed with the affection of many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Tom Diamond was an exceptional attorney, a force for positive change, and a leading figure in the modern history of El Paso, and his legacy will continue to be an inspiration to all those whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Thomas Mulford Diamond and extend sincere condolences 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 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Tom Diamond. Moody Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 169 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on August 15, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House