[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF MURPH WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 7, 1998

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a 
dear friend and wonderful American from Tyler, Texas--Mr. Murph Wilson, 
who passed from us on June 21, 1998.
  Murph was born April 16, 1912, on land now called the Wilson Ranch 
near Overton, Texas, which his family owned for 150 years. Murph went 
on to earn his bachelor's and law degree from the University of Texas 
in 1938. In that same year, Murph began a lifelong legal practice and a 
service to community. He was the founding member of the Wilson Law Firm 
now known as Wilson, Sheehy, Knowles, Robertson and Cornelius. In the 
legal arena, Murph was known for his expertise in many areas, 
particularly in mineral law. During his more than 50 years of active 
law practice, he was a member of the Texas State Bar and federal courts 
including the United States Supreme Court. He served the profession as 
a former president of the Smith County Bar Association and served for 
many years as a member of the Admissions Committee for the United 
States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Murph was a 
Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and he was honored 
in 1997 to receive the Justinian Award from the Smith County Lawyer's 
Auxiliary in recognition of his education and outstanding contributions 
in volunteer services to Tyler and Smith County.
  A long and faithful member of Marvin Methodist Church, Murph served 
on numerous committees and as a former member of the administrative 
board. Being a man of strong faith, he will be remembered for the many 
lives he touched as teacher of the Chapel Sunday School Class for 22 
years.
  Murph Wilson was the mayor of the city of Tyler in 1967 and served on 
the City Commission. Further, in service to his community, in 1950 he 
was appointed to the board of the Tyler schools by the Tyler City 
Commission and was instrumental in the creation of the legal entity 
which is now Tyler Independent School District, serving 5 years on its 
board. He was president of the board when Lee High School was built.
  Other services included trustee of the Stewart Blood Bank Foundation 
and a member of its board of directors for 9 years, a life director of 
the East Texas Hospital Foundation being its president in 1970, a 
charter member of the President of the East Texas Council on World 
Affairs. He also was a charter member of Sharon Temple in Tyler.
  Accepting an appointment by Governor Buford Jester to the Sabine 
River Authority board of directors in 1949, Murph served for 7 years, 
during which time several well-know East Texas takes were designed and 
built. Later, he was instrumental in the arrangements for the 
construction of the present Lake Palestine by the Upper Neches River 
Authority.
  As indicated by his record of service, Murph had an impressive 
political background. Over his career he served in varying capacities 
as key advisor, speech writer, and campaign manager for Lyndon Johnson, 
John Connally, Buford Hest and Ray Roberts.
  In 1959, he was one of the organizers of Southside State Bank, 
serving 2 years as its initial president, 22 years as chairman of the 
board and then designated a lifetime appointment as chairman of the 
board, emeritus.
  In 1938, Murph Wilson married the former Emily Hughes, who survives 
him along with one son and daughter-in-law, Maxie and Flora Wilson, and 
one grandson, Robert Hughes Wilson. He is also survived by one brother 
and sister-in-law, Walker and Winifred Wilson of Overton.
  During his lifetime, Murph Wilson's influence was felt throughout the 
community and across East Texas. Murph will be terribly missed. Mr. 
Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do so in honor of and respect for 
this great American--the late Murph Wilson.

                          ____________________