SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 563
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize women judges from across the state and to welcome them
to Austin on April 4, 2017, on the occasion of Texas Women Judges'
Day at the State Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Women judges in Texas have a storied history
dating back to 1925, when Governor Pat Neff appointed Hortense
Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Henenberg, and Ruth Virginia Brazzil to
serve as Texas Supreme Court justices for a case from which all of
the existing judges 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 who did not have a conflict of interest;
the women appointed to serve on the supreme court were all
well-established attorneys, and these pioneering women 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 appointed 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 reelected for six
more terms; in 1961, she became the first woman to serve as a
federal district judge in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, numerous women have served with
distinction on the Texas Supreme Court and on the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals; and
WHEREAS, Today, more than 1,300 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 Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commend the women judges of Texas for their
service and their commitment to equal justice under the law and
extend to them best wishes for a memorable Texas Women Judges'
Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of this special occasion.
West, Huffman, Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 4, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate