SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 387
In Memory
of
Ralph Matthew Dawson
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of noted attorney and law professor Ralph
Matthew Dawson, who died February 17, 2015, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, Matt Dawson was born on March 20, 1916, to Dr.
Joseph Martin Dawson and Willie Turner Dawson; he graduated from
Waco High School in 1933 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree
and a law degree from Baylor University; and
WHEREAS, He established his first legal practice in
Longview, where he dealt with a growing number of energy industry
cases that were spawned by the East Texas oil boom; he was elected
to the Gregg County judgeship in 1942 and became at the time the
youngest person to serve on a Texas bench; and
WHEREAS, After serving in the United States Navy during
World War II, he joined a Corsicana law firm that eventually
became Dawson and Sodd; he was a trial lawyer with the firm for 35
years and was then named the Leon Jaworski Chair in Practice and
Procedure at Baylor University Law School; and
WHEREAS, As a professor at the university, he was an
inspiration to countless young law students; he became nationally
renowned for the triumphs of his mock trial teams, which won
numerous regional titles and two national championships; a
life-size bronze statue in his likeness was placed outside the
practice court classroom to honor his achievements, and a trial
advocacy professorship was established in his name; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson retired from academia in 1983 and
returned to the private practice of law; he took part in several
landmark cases, notably Pennzoil v. Texaco and the South Texas
Nuclear Project suit; his many professional honors and awards
included the Texas Bar Association's designation of Outstanding
50-Year Lawyer and his induction as a Fellow of the American
College of Trial Lawyers; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of more than 60 years, the
late Princess Louise Markham, raised five children and instilled in
them high ethical standards, a strong commitment to educational
excellence, and a philosophy of positive contribution; he was
blessed with 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, He was a man of wisdom and strength who gave
unselfishly to others and who lived his life to the fullest, and
he was respected for his incisive intellect and his fierce
competitive drive; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Ralph Matthew Dawson; 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 Ralph Matthew Dawson.
Watson, Birdwell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 17, 2015, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate