H.R. No. 1915
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The 80th birthday of an esteemed Texan is truly
cause for celebration, and Thomas James Patterson Sr. is reaching
that impressive milestone on June 29, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Born to Hannah Lee Barton in Waxahachie in 1937,
T. J. Patterson graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in
Wichita Falls and attended Bishop College in Marshall, where he
earned his degree in 1954; while visiting Lubbock, he met his future
wife, Bobbie Gean Bailey, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage,
until her death in 2012; the couple raised three children, Avis
Elise, Thomas James, and Shelia Renee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson joined the armed forces in 1961 and
served for 13 months in Vietnam; after returning to civilian life in
Lubbock, he embarked on a career in education, initially teaching
at Mary and Mac Private School; later, for much of the 1970s, he
served as assistant to the dean of the College of Business at Texas
Tech University; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan became the first African
American to hold elected public office in Lubbock when he won a seat
representing District 2 on the city council in 1984; he served in
that post for 20 years, and during his tenure, he also became the
first African American in Lubbock to hold the office of mayor pro
tempore; in addition, Mr. Patterson served as the first black
president of the Texas Municipal League, and he founded and served
as president of the Association of Black City Council members; and
WHEREAS, A longtime champion of civil rights and the black
community, T. J. Patterson cofounded the Southwest Digest, which
has given voice to the concerns and perspectives of African
Americans in northwest Texas since its inception in 1977; over the
years, he has also led nearly 100 local marches against violence and
drugs, and every Christmas for the past 22 years, he has shared a
message of hope with inmates of the Lubbock County Jail; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to a life of service, Mr. Patterson
has received a host of accolades in recognition of his efforts to
help others and to better his community; his honors include being
named Texas Tech's Man of the Year by the university's student
yearbook, La Ventana, and having a library, now known as the Bobbie
Gean and T. J. Patterson Public Library, dedicated in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Respected and admired by all those who are
privileged to know him, T. J. Patterson may reflect with great
satisfaction on a lifetime of achievement, and it is indeed a
pleasure to join his many friends and loved ones in honoring him on
this memorable occasion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Thomas James Patterson Sr. on his
80th birthday 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 Mr. Patterson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Davis of Dallas
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1915 was adopted by the House on May
12, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House