[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF PEYTON McKNIGHT

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 1996

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to come before this 
body to pay tribute to a distinguished public servant and outstanding 
American, Peyton McKnight of Tyler, TX. Peyton's recent death leaves 
behind a powerful legacy of achievement and a void that will not be 
easy to fill.
  Peyton was widely known and admired throughout the State of Texas for 
his record of public service. He served as both a State representative 
and as a senator. The energy and enthusiasm that he brought to public 
service is legendary--and the results of his efforts are significant.
  His legislative career began at the age of 23, when he was elected to 
the Texas House while attending the University of Texas at Austin Law 
School. As a representative, he authored the bill that established what 
is now the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He 
supported prison reform and helped enact the highway safety code, and 
he supported a proposal that resulted in the East Texas Chest 
Hospital--now the UT Health Center at Tyler. As a State senator, Peyton 
introduced the bill which moved the University of Texas at Tyler into 
the University of Texas system.
  At the age of 28, Peyton was appointed U.S. Marshal for the eastern 
district of Texas, making him the youngest marshal in history at the 
age of 28. He became a lifetime member of the East Texas Peace Officers 
Association.
  He was an independent oil producer and businessman and was a member 
of the All-American Wildcatters Association and the Southern 
Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments Committee on 
Energy. Peyton was active in his community and was involved in numerous 
worthwhile organizations. He served on the board of directors of Scott 
and White Memorial Hospital, the Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, and 
the East Texas Hospital Foundation. He was a Shriner and a member of 
the Sons of the American Revolution, the American Legion, and the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
  Peyton also devoted his considerable talents to the field of 
education. He served on the board of regents of Texas A&M University 
for 6 years, served on the UT Tyler Development Board, and held a 
similar position with the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler.
  Peyton was a native of Alto and a graduate of Quitman High School. He 
flew with the U.S. Army Air Corps on combat missions in Europe during 
World War II and graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in history and 
government.
  During his lifetime he was honored on numerous occasions, including a 
``Peyton McKnight Day'' in Tyler and in Kilgore. He was respected and 
admired by the State's top political leaders and loved by his many 
friends throughout Texas. Peyton was one of those rare individuals who 
made a difference in everything he tackled. He was a true American 
patriot and a true friend--and he leaves behind a remarkable legacy of 
accomplishment. He will be truly missed by all those who knew him and 
loved him.

                          ____________________