[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2509-E2510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF GARFIELD W. THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2005

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the Honorable 
Garfield W. Thompson, 89, a former state representative, a labor 
leader, and a friend to the Fort Worth community. Mr. Thompson passed 
away on Wednesday, December 7, 2005.
  Garfield W. Thompson was born June 29, 1916, in Grandview, Texas. His 
family made Fort Worth its home when he was a young boy. He was a 1934 
graduate of historic I.M. Terrell High School. At the outbreak of World 
War II he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he bravely served and was 
honorably discharged. In 1942, he married Dorothy Ruth Williams.
  He worked as a waiter for Texas and Pacific Railroad until retirement 
after 28 years. He then worked as a custodian at the Tarrant County 
courthouse. There, he served as the president of the Tarrant County 
Courthouse AFL-CIO union, and he was later elected regional 
representative of the Tarrant County Central Labor Council.
  Mr. Thompson was elected to the Texas House in 1984 and served 
District 95 for 10

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years until his retirement from public office. In addition to his years 
in public service, Mr. Thompson was chairman of voter registration for 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and was 
an active member of the American Legion, a member and former president 
of the Ambassadors Club, an elder of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church 
and a former president of the Men of the Church.
  He was granted an honorary doctorate in government from the 
University of Houston and was a dedicated public servant. He loved and 
was particularly proud of his Stop Six community. Through all of his 
grand pursuits, nothing ranked above the love he had for his family.
  Today, I would like to recognize and celebrate Garfield W. Thompson's 
life. It was an honor to represent him in Washington. He was 
intelligent, thoughtful and a true American. Mr. Thompson will be 
deeply missed by his family and the people of Fort Worth.

                          ____________________