82R13952 BPG-D
By: Cook H.R. No. 1005
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former Texas representative Joe B. Cannon of
Limestone County has received the 2010 Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer
Award from the Texas Bar Foundation; and
WHEREAS, A prestigious honor, the Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer
Award recognizes attorneys who have practiced for a half-century or
more, adhering to the highest principles and traditions of their
profession; nominees must also have served the Texas Bar
Association and their communities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cannon was born in Mexia; he graduated from the
University of North Texas and went on to study law at The University
of Texas before winning election to the Texas Legislature; as a
member of the house of representatives, he was instrumental in
passing legislation to eliminate a state poll tax, to accelerate
the integration of public schools and universities, and to
establish a 40-hour workweek for state school and hospital
employees; and
WHEREAS, After three terms in the legislature, Mr. Cannon
returned to Limestone County and opened his law practice in
Groesbeck; he has served the legal profession in a number of
leadership roles, including as chair of the State Bar of Texas board
of directors, as chair of the State Bar of Texas Sunset Committee,
and as a Texas Bar Foundation trustee; through the years, he has
given generously of his time and expertise to Texans in need of
legal representation, and he has been a member of the Pro Bono
College for more than 15 years; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan has demonstrated a steadfast
commitment to his community; he is an Eagle Scout and continues to
be active in the Boy Scouts of America, and he has served on the
Mexia school board and on the board of the North Texas Exes; in
addition, he is an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Mexia;
he has received numerous accolades, and the University of North
Texas presented him with the Green Glory Award and named him an
Outstanding Alumnus of the School of Political Science; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Cannon enjoys the support
and encouragement of his wife, Debbie Cannon, and his family,
including his children, JoAl Cannon Sheridan and her husband, Dirk,
and Thure Cannon and his wife, Shannon, as well as his
grandchildren, Knox and Nash Cannon, and his stepsons, David and
Thomas Goodwin; and
WHEREAS, Highly regarded in the legal profession and in his
community, Joe Cannon has set standards of excellence to which
others may aspire, and he indeed merits special recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Joe B. Cannon on his receipt of the
2010 Outstanding 50-Year Lawyer Award and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Cannon as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.