SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 564
In Memory
of
Frederick Martin Baron
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of noted attorney Frederick Martin Baron,
who died October 30, 2008, at the age of 61; and
WHEREAS, Fred Baron earned renown for his pioneering
litigation representing victims of toxic substances and his
active role in revitalizing the Democratic Party in Texas; and
WHEREAS, He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and moved to
Smithville, Texas, with his mother when he was 15 years old; he
graduated from The University of Texas with a bachelor's degree
in 1968 and a law degree in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Inspired to pursue an asbestos litigation case
that his employer's firm had rejected, Mr. Baron founded his own
law firm in Dallas in 1977; he went on to build a flourishing
practice and generously shared his financial success with a
number of causes from the arts to the Texas Democratic Trust,
which he founded in 2005 to support Democratic candidates; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baron was passionate about helping others,
and he was a fierce advocate for those who believed they had no
voice; with his wife, he founded the Baron and Blue Foundation,
which is dedicated to eliminating homelessness and improving
low-cost housing in the Dallas area; he also opened his home to
host fund-raising events for countless charitable organizations;
and
WHEREAS, After his election as president of the
Association of Trial Lawyers of America in 2002, Mr. Baron sold
his law firm and moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked
closely with a number of national political figures, including
former president Bill Clinton; he became the lead fund-raiser for
John Edwards in 2003 and headed the Kerry-Edwards 2004 general
election finance team; he also led the finance team for the 2008
John Edwards presidential bid; and
WHEREAS, Fred Baron received numerous honors and accolades
during his lifetime; he was named as one of the nation's top
plaintiff's attorneys by Forbes magazine and as one of the top
lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine; he was listed as one of the 100
most influential lawyers in the United States in 2006 by The
National Law Journal, and he was honored as a lawyer who helped
shape Texas law during the 20th century by Texas Lawyer; and
WHEREAS, Fred Baron will long be remembered for his
commitment to helping others, his passion for politics, and his
philanthropic efforts; a devoted husband and father, he leaves
behind memories that will be treasured by his family and his many
friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Frederick Martin Baron: his wife, Lisa Blue-Baron, and
his children, Andrew, Courtney, Alessandra, Nathalie, and
Caroline Baron; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Frederick M. Baron.
West, Carona, Davis, Deuell,
Ellis, Lucio, Nelson, Shapiro
____________________________________________________________
Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
____________________________________________________________
Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
______________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 28, 2009, by
a rising vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate