[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5144]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MERRILL CONNALLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in tribute of a 
great Texan, a great American and a dear friend and colleague--the late 
Judge Merrill Lee Connally of Floresville, Texas--who passed away at 
the age of 80 on September 4, 2001. Over the course of his life he had 
been a rancher, an oilman, a radio station operator, a judge, and a 
soldier who served his country with distinction in the South Pacific 
during World War II.
  Merrill grew up on his family's ranch west of Floresville where he 
was born as the sixth child of John Bowden Connally, Sr. and Lela 
Wright Connally on April 9, 1921. After attending Floresville High 
School, he went on to Texas A&M University in 1941 as a member of the 
Corps of Cadets. In January 1942, shortly after entering college, he 
left to enlist in the United States Marine Corps where he rose to the 
rank of Captain serving in the South Pacific. During the fight for 
Bougainville, Merrill earned two Purple Hearts.
  Merrill served until 1945, after which he returned to Floresville to 
help manage the Connally family ranch. He continued with the ranch the 
rest of his life, but he had other ventures, as well. Along with 10 
other fellow veterans, Mr. Connally organized and operated radio 
station KVET in Austin, Texas. In addition to the radio station, he had 
other business venture including Connally Agricultural Services, 
Connally Fuels, and Connally Minerals. He was also a 20-year board 
member of the Republic Bank of Austin.
  Like all of the Connally family, Merrill served his country well by 
staying active in local, state and national politics. From 1947-1950, 
he was Wilson County Commissioner--he held the position again from 
1955-1959. In both 1956 and 1960 Merrill served as a delegate to the 
Democratic National Convention. He also helped his brother run for 
governor, serving as his campaign coordinator in both 1962 and 1964.
  Merrill served on the Floresville chamber of Commerce, Wilson County 
Farm Bureau, Floresville Lions Club, South Texas County Judges' 
Association, Southwest Cattle Raisers' Association, and American 
Quarter Horse Association, and was a past president of the Floresville 
Peanut Festival Association. In addition, he served for many years on 
the board of directors of the Wilson Memorial Hospital, a hospital that 
the had played an instrumental part in founding.
  Later in life, Mr. Connally began a hobby acting. He played the role 
of Davy Crockett in ``Alamo--The Price of Freedom'' and also made 
appearances in Steven Spielberg's ``Close Encounters of the Third 
Kind'' and ``Sugarland Express.''
  Most importantly, though, Merrill will be remembered a true American 
hero and devoted family man. Just this year he celebrated his 50th 
wedding anniversary with his loving wife Mary Catherine Howard. He was 
father to two and a grandfather to four.
  He will be remembered by his family, friends and former colleague as 
a true Texas who served his state and country well. He will be 
remembered for his mild-mannered ways and devotion to the people of 
Texas. He leaves a legacy of service kindness. Mr. Speaker, it is with 
great admiration that I recognize the life of a great Texan and true 
American hero--Merrill Lee Connally.

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