81R14021 CBE-D
By: Davis of Dallas H.R. No. 781
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, T. J. Patterson, Sr., is an outstanding Texan who
has long distinguished himself through his professional
achievements and his many years of community leadership; and
WHEREAS, A native of Waxahachie, Mr. Patterson graduated in
1954 from Booker T. Washington High School in Wichita Falls and went
on to earn a bachelor's degree from Bishop College, where he served
as editor of the newspaper; he began work as a private school
teacher in 1959, but soon answered his country's call to arms during
the Vietnam War, serving as a member of the U.S. Army; his varied
career also includes service as a commander in the Navy Reserve, as
executive director of the Community Action Board, and as assistant
to the dean of the College of Business Administration at Texas Tech
University for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson became co-publisher of the Southwest
Digest, along with his friend Eddie P. Richardson, in 1984; in the
years since then, the two men have worked to keep Lubbock's African
American community informed on a range of pertinent news; the
weekly paper is famous for publishing the names and photos of local
people arrested for drug dealing, as well as for its coverage of
community events and milestones not always reported by others; and
WHEREAS, At the same time that he entered the publishing
business, Mr. Patterson made a name for himself in local politics
when he was elected as a member of the Lubbock City Council; he
served continuously in that role for 20 years, founding the Texas
Association of Black City Council Members and serving as the first
African American president of the Texas Municipal League along the
way; moreover, he was a board member of the National League of
Cities; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has been supported through the
years by his wife, Bobbie Gean Bailey-Patterson, a longtime
educator for Lubbock ISD, and their three children, Avis, T. J., and
Shelia; together, the couple were honored with the dedication of
the Bobbie Gean and T. J. Patterson Library in Lubbock, and a Texas
Tech scholarship has recently been established in their name by
Each One Reach One; and
WHEREAS, T. J. Patterson has set an inspiring example of
professional achievement and civic engagement, and in so doing, he
has earned the lasting respect and admiration of all who know him;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize T. J. Patterson, Sr., for his
outstanding efforts in behalf of his fellow citizens and extend to
him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Patterson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.