84R22220 BK-F
By: Thompson of Harris H.R. No. 1907
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, April 13, 2015, is Texas Female Judges Day at the
State Capitol, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to
celebrate the achievements of female judges, past and present, who
have served in the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Women judges in Texas have a storied history dating
back to 1925, when Governor Pat Neff appointed three women,
Hortense Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Henenberg, and Ruth Virginia
Brazzil, to preside as Texas Supreme Court justices over a case from
which all of the current justices on the court had recused
themselves; and
WHEREAS, The case involved a fraternal organization that had
so many prominent members that no qualified male judges or
attorneys could be found to take their place who did not have a
conflict of interest; the women appointed to hear the matter were
all well-established attorneys, and those pioneering jurists
formed the first court in the nation composed entirely of women; and
WHEREAS, The first woman to hold a permanent position on a
Texas bench was Sarah Tilghman Hughes, a highly esteemed state
representative who was named to the 14th District Court in Dallas by
Governor James Allred in 1935; Judge Hughes went on to win election
to the seat for a full term and was returned to office for six
additional terms; in 1961, she earned further renown by becoming
the first woman to be sworn in as a federal district judge in Texas;
and
WHEREAS, Since that time, numerous women have served with
distinction on the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal
Appeals; and
WHEREAS, Today, more than 1,000 women preside over courts
throughout the state; they exemplify the highest standards of
judicial conduct, and their dedication to public service is truly
an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize April 13, 2015, as Texas Female Judges
Day at the State Capitol and commend the women judges of Texas for
their immeasurable contributions to the Lone Star State.