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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great Arkansan and
a devoted public servant, State Representative ``Nap'' Napoleon Bonaparte
Murphy. Representative Murphy passed away on August 23rd at the age of
83. He worked for nearly 50 years as the owner of a successful car dealership
in Hamburg, Arkansas, but is better remembered for his colorful personality
and career dedicated to helping the people in his community from the Arkansas
State Legislature.
Representative Murphy was born on September 26, 1921, in Crossett, Arkansas.
After moving to Hamburg in 1948, he bought the Main Street Esso Station
and just 4 years later, he purchased the local Ford Dealership. Representative
Murphy was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1959, serving
just one term before returning to Hamburg to run his business, and was
re-elected in 1963 where he served until his retirement in 1995. Representative
Murphy served as the distinguished Chairman of the House Agriculture and
Economic Development Committee.
I had the pleasure of knowing Representative Murphy when I served in
the Arkansas State Senate. He was a dynamic character who would begin and
end every legislative session wearing his white suit and black bowtie.
He had a great love for bluegrass music and enjoyed playing the banjo,
mandolin, guitar, and fiddle.
Arkansas will certainly miss this great politician from humble beginnings
and I will miss his sense of humor and dedication to our state. My condolences
go out to Nap's son, Jimmy, his daughter, Ila Murphy Campbell, his eight
grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF
THE 109th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
