H.R. No. 719
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Thomas Lee, judge of the 63rd State
District Court, retired on December 31, 2008, after three decades
of exemplary service to his fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, A native of Freer, Tom Lee graduated from Texas A&M
University and, following two years of service in the U.S. Army,
earned his law degree at St. Mary's University in San Antonio; he
began his legal career in 1973 with the Del Rio firm of Lowrey,
Foster and Hodge; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, this esteemed Texan was appointed
district attorney of the 63rd State Judicial District by Governor
Dolph Briscoe, and he served with distinction in that position
through 2000 when he was elected district judge; and
WHEREAS, Judge Lee has been active in a number of
professional organizations, serving as president of the Val Verde
County Bar Association, chair of District 15c of the State Bar
Grievance Committee, and member of the Border District Bar
Association; and
WHEREAS, Also a leader in his community, he has shared his
time with the Val Verde County Child Welfare Board, Quad Counties
Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and St. James Episcopal Church;
and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Judge Lee and his wife,
Carol, are the proud parents of two children, Allyson and Stephen,
and have three grandchildren, Bradley, Oliver, and Elliot; he has
dedicated much time to Boy Scouts of America and is a member of the
National Eagle Scout Association, a recipient of the Silver Beaver
Award, and a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow; in his free
time, he enjoys playing the banjo with the Borderline Singers, a
bluegrass band that entertains at civic events and charity
fund-raisers; and
WHEREAS, Judge Lee's tenure as a jurist has been
characterized by diligence, integrity, and a passion for the law,
and it is indeed appropriate to join with the residents of Val Verde
and Terrell Counties to honor this highly respected member of the
judiciary for his outstanding public service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Thomas Lee on his
retirement as judge of the 63rd State District Court, commend him on
his exceptional career, and extend to him sincere best wishes for an
enjoyable retirement; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Judge Lee as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Gallego
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 719 was adopted by the House on April
21, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House