83S20513 CBE-D
By: Harless H.R. No. 121
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Judge Tom Lawrence is retiring as Harris County
Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2, in 2014, when he will be
concluding an outstanding tenure that has spanned three decades;
and
WHEREAS, Judge Lawrence took office on January 1, 1983, and
was subsequently reelected seven times; he has twice served as
presiding judge of the Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, and
in 1991, he established one of Harris County's first teen courts;
through the years, he has taken a keen interest in the justice court
system, and he has been instrumental in the passage of various laws
to enhance its effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his insight and expertise, Judge
Lawrence has been twice appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to
the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and he served as chair of
that body from 1996 to 1997; moreover, he was named to serve on the
Supreme Court Advisory Committee in 1999, and he continued in that
capacity for more than a decade; he has further contributed to the
work of the Supreme Court of Texas as a member of four task forces;
and
WHEREAS, Judge Lawrence earned his bachelor's degree in
political science from Chapman University and was then commissioned
as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard; after serving his country for
four years, he obtained a law degree from South Texas College of
Law, and he later became certified as a civil mediator by the
National Judicial College; he is a member of numerous bar
associations and a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Involved in his community as well, this esteemed
Texan has contributed to the Flaming Arrow District of the Boy
Scouts of America Sam Houston Area Council, the Houston Northwest
Chamber of Commerce, and the North Harris Montgomery Community
College Foundation; in addition, he has served as president of the
Sons of the American Revolution Paul Carrington Chapter and as
chancellor general of the national organization; and
WHEREAS, Tom Lawrence has greatly benefited his fellow Texans
through his dedication and commitment to excellence, and he may
indeed reflect with pride on his record of achievement as he embarks
on the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend Judge Tom Lawrence
on his service as Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4,
Place 2, and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Judge Lawrence as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.