SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 973
WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is honored to pay tribute to one
of its most distinguished members, Judith Zaffirini, on the grand
occasion of her 50,000th consecutive vote in the Senate; and
WHEREAS, Senator Zaffirini's many attributes have long
been appreciated by her colleagues, and today is an occasion to
recognize one quality that has consistently stood out during her
lengthy and exceptional service in the legislature--her
extraordinary work ethic; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Texas Senate since 1987, Senator
Zaffirini is the longest-serving woman in the Senate and the
second-highest-ranking senator; she is noted for her impeccable
attendance and voting records; throughout her years of service,
she has worked diligently to alleviate the problems of persons
with mental illness and of senior citizens, and as an experienced
educator, she has brought her considerable knowledge to bear on
countless educational issues; and
WHEREAS, The first Hispanic woman to serve in the Texas
Senate, she has represented District 21 with distinction; she is
the senior senator for South Texas, Central Texas, and the border
region, and she has skillfully represented a constituency of
diverse citizenry and multifaceted needs; in 2012, she was
reelected in an eighth landslide victory; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure in the Senate, she has served as
President Pro Tempore and has been honored as Governor for a Day;
she has served as chair of the Committee on Health and Human
Services and of the Committee on Higher Education, and she is
currently chair of the Committee on Government Organization; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of her career, Senator Zaffirini
has sponsored and passed more than 700 bills and was cosponsor of
several hundred additional bills; to help others, particularly
freshman senators, to master the complexities of the Senate, she
writes a Presiding Guide handbook each session that memorializes
the procedures and language for passing bills and for presiding
over Senate committees; she attributes much of her success in the
Texas Senate to lessons learned from the Ursuline nuns,
particularly her punctuality and reverence for decorum; and
WHEREAS, She has received more than 670 awards and honors
for her legislative, public service, and professional work; she
has been named Legislator of the Year by numerous organizations
and has four times been named one of the 10 Best Legislators by
Texas Monthly; she is a Distinguished Alumna of The University of
Texas at Austin, where she earned her bachelor's, master's, and
doctoral degrees; she is also an award-winning communications
specialist, a public servant who is deeply devoted to her family
and to helping the families of Texas, and one of the 100 Most
Influential Hispanics listed by Hispanic Business magazine; and
WHEREAS, A senator whose unquestionable loyalty to the
Senate body has earned her the highest regard of those with whom
she serves, she is also noted for performing her duties with the
utmost faithfulness and trustworthiness on behalf of her
constituents, and she has long held not only her constituents'
enduring respect but also the esteem of citizens across the
state; and
WHEREAS, Senator Zaffirini's 50,000th vote is a milestone
in an illustrious career distinguished by exemplary
decision-making and statesmanship; her earnest support of causes
for the betterment of our state and her highly effective work as a
lawmaker are testaments to her high standards, her strong
leadership, and her dedication to public service; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Senator Judith Zaffirini for
her outstanding career and her exceptional accomplishments on
behalf of the citizens of this state and extend to her sincere
appreciation for her loyal service in the Senate and
congratulations on the casting of her 50,000th consecutive vote
in the Senate; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of Senator Zaffirini and as an expression of highest esteem
from her colleagues in the Texas Senate.
Eltife Eltife
Eltife
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Campbell Hegar Schwertner Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Carona Hinojosa Seliger Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Davis Huffman Taylor Davis Huffman Taylor
Davis Huffman Taylor
Deuell Lucio Uresti Deuell Lucio Uresti
Deuell Lucio Uresti
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Ellis Nichols Watson Ellis Nichols Watson
Ellis Nichols Watson
Estes Patrick West Estes Patrick West
Estes Patrick West
Fraser Paxton Whitmire Fraser Paxton Whitmire
Fraser Paxton Whitmire
Garcia Williams Garcia Williams
Garcia Williams
Dewhurst, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 17, 2013.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Eltife
Birdwell Hancock Rodriguez
Campbell Hegar Schwertner
Carona Hinojosa Seliger
Davis Huffman Taylor
Deuell Lucio Uresti
Duncan Nelson Van de Putte
Ellis Nichols Watson
Estes Patrick West
Fraser Paxton Whitmire
Garcia Williams