SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 369
In Memory
of
Joe R. Greenhill
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of the Honorable Joe R. Greenhill, who died
February 11, 2011, at the age of 96; and
WHEREAS, Judge Joe R. Greenhill was the longest-serving
Texas Supreme Court justice in the court's history; he was
appointed by Governor Price Daniel in 1957 and served as chief
justice from 1972 to 1982; and
WHEREAS, Judge Greenhill was born in Houston on July 14,
1914; he held a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin,
where he graduated at the top of his class; he was a member of Phi
Beta Kappa and served as editor of the university's yearbook and
the Texas Law Review; he began his legal career as a briefing
attorney for the Texas Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, he served four years on
active duty, first in naval intelligence and then as executive
officer on a fleet minesweeper in the Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, He served as First Assistant Attorney General of
Texas from 1948 to 1950 and was involved in many major cases, some
of which were argued before the United States Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, He was a partner in the law firm of Graves,
Dougherty, and Greenhill in Austin from 1950 to 1957, when he was
appointed to the Texas Supreme Court; after retiring from the
court in 1982, he became of counsel with the law firm Baker Botts
in Austin; a highly respected attorney and jurist, Judge
Greenhill was active in numerous professional and civic
associations; he served as executive director of the Texas Bar
Foundation and was a member of the Warren W. Burger Society and
the Order of Saint John's; he also received the Gold Medal Award
from the Freedom Foundation; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished gentleman, Judge Greenhill was a
significant force in the legal community, and he was greatly
admired and respected by all who knew him; he was a member of
Saint David's Episcopal Church in Austin and served as vestryman
and senior warden; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Judge Joe R.
Greenhill and extend sincere condolences to his bereaved family:
his wife of 70 years, Martha; his sons and daughter-in-law, Joe
Greenhill, Jr., and Bill and Ann Greenhill; and his four
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; 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 the Honorable Joe R. Greenhill.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 28, 2011,
by a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate