H.R. No. 1068
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life of professional achievement and dedicated
public service drew to a close with the passing of former state
representative Jack Harvey Harris on March 13, 2017, at the age of
85; and
WHEREAS, The son of Frank and Marguerite Curry Harris, Jack
Harris was born in Houston on December 12, 1931; he enlisted in the
United States Air Force in 1953 and proudly served his country for
eight years, rising to the rank of captain; during and after his
career in the military, he attended a number of different colleges,
including Texas A&M University, and he went on to complete
bachelor's and master's degrees and a doctoral degree in dental
surgery; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Harris built a successful private practice of
dentistry and periodontics, which he operated from 1961 to 1991; he
also shared his expertise as an assistant and associate professor
of periodontics at The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston and as a member of the advisory board of the Health Law &
Policy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center; a leader
in his profession, he served as president of both the Texas and
American Dental Associations, and he held membership in the Houston
District Dental Society and other groups; recognized with myriad
honors throughout his career, he published widely in local, state,
and national dental journals and delivered presentations at
conferences and universities around the world; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan decided to take on a more
prominent role in shaping public policy, and his election as a
legislator precipitated a 12-year tenure in the statehouse; from
1985 to 1997, he worked diligently to advance the interests of his
constituents in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties, and he lent his
insight to the deliberations of committees on public health,
natural resources, environmental affairs, higher education, and
many other key issues; he remained active in civic life after
leaving office, serving as a Brazoria County commissioner from 1997
to 2008; and
WHEREAS, Admired for his devotion to his family, Dr. Harris
had a rewarding marriage with his loving wife, Mary Ellen, that
spanned more than six decades, and he was immensely proud of their
son, Rick; through the years, he was further blessed with two
grandchildren, Ryan and Kathryn, as well as a treasured
great-granddaughter, Avery; and
WHEREAS, Jack Harvey Harris was a man of considerable gifts
and accomplishments whose life's work left an indelible mark on his
profession and community, and he leaves behind a record of service
that will continue to inspire all those who had the good fortune to
know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable Jack
Harvey Harris and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Mary Ellen Harris; to his son, Rick Harris and
his wife, Susan; to his grandchildren, Ryan Harris and his wife,
Stephanie, and Kathryn Harris Jones and her husband, Dustin; to his
great-granddaughter, Avery Madison Jones; to his sisters, Jean
Pulleyn and Jane Shephard and her husband, David; and to his other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of the
Honorable Jack Harvey Harris.
Craddick
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1068 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 6, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House