SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14
In Memory
of
Maurice Michael Sharlot
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of Maurice Michael
Sharlot, who died June 22, 2013, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, Mike Sharlot was born on October 7, 1935, in
Brooklyn, New York; he grew up in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and the
small town of Delaware Water Gap on the Delaware River; he
graduated valedictorian from Stroudsburg High School and worked
his way through Antioch College, where he met the love of his
life, Susan Siegel; and
WHEREAS, After their marriage, they went to Melbourne,
Australia, where Mike had a Fulbright Scholarship; he went on to
graduate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, work
for a Washington, D.C., law firm, and join the legal ranks of the
Peace Corps; in 1969, he moved to Texas to become a professor at
The University of Texas School of Law; he quickly became an
expert in criminal law and evidence and was one of the primary
drafters of the original Texas Rules of Evidence; he was a highly
respected and popular professor and was known for his quick wit
and mastery of the Socratic method; and
WHEREAS, He was named dean of the law school in 1995, and
during his tenure, he famously fought to maintain the school's
student diversity during a time of turbulence; at the end of his
term, he returned to full-time teaching and remained a valued
asset to the law school until his retirement in 2007; and
WHEREAS, While renowned for his brilliance and legal
expertise, he also was known for his generous spirit and his
treasured role in the Austin community; his hospitality was
legendary, and throughout his life, he was noted for warmly
welcoming people to his home and for his love of laughter,
conversation, and intellectual discourse; and
WHEREAS, He was an exemplary gentleman with courtly
manners and an engaging personality; he had enormous compassion
for others, a wonderful sense of humor, and boundless charisma;
he was devoted to his wife of 56 years, Susan, and took great
pride in his two children and his three grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mike Sharlot was beloved by many, and he will long
be remembered with affection and appreciation by all who were
privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby extend sincere
condolences to the bereaved family of Maurice Michael Sharlot;
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 Mike Sharlot.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 9, 2013, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate