SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 129
In Memory
of
Louise Hilma Ballerstedt Raggio
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens
across the state in mourning the loss of Louise Hilma Ballerstedt
Raggio, who died January 23, 2011, at the age of 91; and
WHEREAS, Born in Austin in 1919, Louise Ballerstedt
graduated from Austin High School, valedictorian of her class, in
1935; she attended The University of Texas at Austin and
graduated magna cum laude in 1939; and
WHEREAS, While on a Rockefeller fellowship at American
University in Washington in 1941, she met and married Grier
Raggio, a lawyer, who died in 1988; after World War II, she
attended night school in Dallas and earned her law degree; and
WHEREAS, Louise Raggio went on to forge a
precedent-setting legal career by becoming the first female
assistant district attorney in Dallas County; she also made
history as the first woman to prosecute a criminal case in the
county and by winning a criminal case with an all-woman jury; and
WHEREAS, After joining her husband in private practice,
she quickly became known for her powerful voice on behalf of
women's rights and made her mark in Texas legal history by
becoming the principal force behind the Marital Property Act of
1967; the law eliminated an archaic Texas code that legally
discriminated against Texas women; and
WHEREAS, A nationally known figure and a pioneer who fought
against numerous outdated conventions, she was also the author of
a book, Texas Tornado, and was honored in 1995 by the American Bar
Association's Commission on Women in the Profession with its
Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, Louise Raggio was an exceptionally gifted woman
whose vision and strong will opened doors for the women of Texas;
she was also a woman of high standards who was dedicated to her
family and friends and who was deeply loved by all who knew her; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary lady, she gave unselfishly of her
time to others and made immeasurable and lasting contributions to
her community and state, and she leaves behind memories that will
be treasured forever by all who had the good fortune of sharing in
her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Louise Hilma Ballerstedt Raggio; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her 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 Louise Raggio.
West
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 31, 2011, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate