SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize David Hall, who is retiring after 42 years of
exceptional service as executive director of Texas RioGrande
Legal Aid; and
WHEREAS, David Hall first joined the organization, then
known as Texas Rural Legal Aid, in 1970 as a board member; he
became the organization's executive director in 1975 and later
played a vital role in the merger with four other legal aid
associations that created Texas RioGrande Legal Aid; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Mr. Hall has been at the
forefront of many of the legal battles that transformed the
landscape of civil rights in the Rio Grande Valley, notably in
the United States Supreme Court case that led to the reform of the
state's discriminatory practices for selecting grand juries; he
also led the organization's efforts to protect the rights of
farmworkers, including a case in which multiple state
restrictions on picketing were overturned; and
WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
has gone from being a small organization with a handful of
attorneys defending farmworkers in South Texas to being the
nation's third-largest legal aid provider, with 175 civil and
criminal lawyers who annually provide free legal services to
25,000 low-income persons from all backgrounds, including
veterans, persons who are homeless, elderly, or disabled, those
facing economic or social barriers to their health, and survivors
of sexual assault or domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, David Hall has received numerous honors and
accolades for his work, including recognition by Texas Lawyer
magazine as a Legal Legend and as one of the 25 greatest Texas
lawyers of the past quarter century; and
WHEREAS, An exceptional attorney and organizer, he is
widely respected and admired, and his presence as executive
director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid will be greatly missed;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend David Hall on his
commitment to providing access to equal justice under the law and
extend to him best wishes for continued success in all his
endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Lucio
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on July 24, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate