SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 9
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride
in extending sincere congratulations to Senator John Whitmire,
Dean of the Texas Senate and one of its most respected members, on
his 40 years of outstanding service in the Texas Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Among our state's longest-serving legislators,
Senator Whitmire began his career in public service when he was
elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972; he served
in the House for 10 years, from the 63rd Legislature through the
67th Legislature; he was elected Democratic state senator for
District 15 in 1982 and began serving in the 68th Legislative
Session; he has served in 16 Senate legislatures, and as of
January of this year, he has been a Texas state senator for 30
years; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his exceptional career,
Senator Whitmire has worked with 369 legislators; he is one of
the six longest-serving lawmakers in Texas history, and by the
end of the 83rd Legislature, he will be tied for having the
third-longest legislative tenure; and
WHEREAS, A legendary political figure, Senator Whitmire
has served his state with distinction under seven governors, six
lieutenant governors, and six speakers of the House; as both a
representative and a senator, he has worked tirelessly on behalf
of his state, and as Dean of the Senate, he has provided steadfast
leadership and guidance and has been a role model in upholding
legislative standards and decorum; and
WHEREAS, Well known for his many accomplishments as chair
of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Senator Whitmire has
worked hard to bring about needed changes to the adult and
juvenile criminal justice systems and has stressed the need to be
tough, but smart, on crime; he is noted for spearheading reform
in the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, making Texas a
national example for criminal justice reform; he was named one of
Governing Magazine's 2010 Public Officials of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Senator Whitmire also serves on the Senate
Government Organization Committee and the Senate Administration
and Senate Finance Committees; in addition to his legislative
service, he is a member of the Pension Review Board, which
oversees all public retirement systems in Texas, and of the Texas
Sunset Commission; and
WHEREAS, A native of Hillsboro and a longtime Houston
resident, Senator Whitmire is the proud father of two daughters,
Whitney and Sarah, and has delighted in watching them grow up to
become beautiful, intelligent young women and treasured members
of the Senate family; and
WHEREAS, Senator Whitmire was admitted to the Texas State
Bar in 1981 and is an attorney of counsel to the law firm of Locke
Lord Bissell and Liddell; he was named one of Texas Monthly's
Best Texas Legislators in 1993, 2003, 2005, and 2011; and
WHEREAS, An insightful and highly effective lawmaker,
Senator Whitmire is respected for both his forthrightness and his
political expertise; during his 40-year legislative career, his
many accomplishments have earned him widespread admiration
throughout the state and the enduring esteem of his colleagues;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Senator John Whitmire for his
40 years of legislative service and honor him for his innumerable
contributions and boundless dedication to our state; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Senator John Whitmire as an expression of highest esteem from the
Texas Senate.
Eltife
Birdwell Hegar Schwertner Birdwell Hegar Schwertner
Birdwell Hegar Schwertner
Campbell Hinojosa Seliger Campbell Hinojosa Seliger
Campbell Hinojosa Seliger
Carona Huffman Taylor Carona Huffman Taylor
Carona Huffman Taylor
Davis Lucio Uresti Davis Lucio Uresti
Davis Lucio Uresti
Deuell Nelson Van de Putte Deuell Nelson Van de Putte
Deuell Nelson Van de Putte
Duncan Nichols Watson Duncan Nichols Watson
Duncan Nichols Watson
Ellis Patrick West Ellis Patrick West
Ellis Patrick West
Estes Paxton Whitmire Estes Paxton Whitmire
Estes Paxton Whitmire
Fraser Rodriguez Williams Fraser Rodriguez Williams
Fraser Rodriguez Williams
Hancock Zaffirini Hancock Zaffirini
Hancock Zaffirini
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 14, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Birdwell Hegar Schwertner
Campbell Hinojosa Seliger
Carona Huffman Taylor
Davis Lucio Uresti
Deuell Nelson Van de Putte
Duncan Nichols Watson
Ellis Patrick West
Estes Paxton Whitmire
Fraser Rodriguez Williams
Hancock Zaffirini