[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF ROYCE MAGNESS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a longtime 
friend and outstanding East Texan, Royce G. Magness of Telephone, 
Texas, who passed away on August 30 at the age of 76 after a long 
illness. Royce was a prominent farmer-rancher who owned and operated 
Magness Farms for almost 50 years, and he was an influential leader in 
his community.
  Royce was dedicated to his vocation and was well-respected for his 
abilities and his advocacy of farm issues. He was a member of the 
Fannin County Farm Bureau since 1964 and served as president from 1978 
to 1983. He was elected to serve as a Texas Farm Bureau state director 
from 1983 to 1988, and in 1995, he was honored as one of 13 Texas Farm 
Bureau Pioneer Award winners from across the state. He was named Fannin 
County Fanner of the Year in 1988 by the Bonham Area Chamber of 
Commerce. At his funeral service, it was written that ``he believed a 
man's greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows 
this more abundantly than farming . . . He believed that farming, 
despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and 
honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.''
  Royce was a member of the Telephone Baptist Church, where he served 
as trustee, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and for almost 30 years as 
treasurer of the church. He was a charter member of the Fannin County 
Hospital Board, a member of the Fannin County Peanut Association and 
the Forest Grove Cemetery Board.
  He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean; two sons and daughters-
in-law, Jerry and Brenda Magness of Telephone and David and Shirley 
Magness of Royse City; a daughter, Marilyn Ackmann of Fort Worth; six 
grandchildren; two great-grandsons; sister Neva Lewis and husband Bob 
of Lantana, Fla; and many other family members. In his last weeks Royce 
spent countless hours with members of his family, retelling funny tales 
and recalling many happy memories of a lifetime spent in Telephone, 
Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, Royce was a man of tremendous character and integrity. 
He loved his family, his community, his country, and the land on which 
he farmed--and to each of these he gave so much of himself. He will be 
missed by all those who knew him and loved him--but he leaves behind a 
powerful legacy that will endure. As we adjourn today, let us do so in 
memory of this great American, Royce Glen Magness.

                          ____________________