86R8781 BPG-D
By: Rosenthal H.R. No. 179
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Harris County marked the dawn of a new era on January
1, 2019, with the swearing-in of a record number of newly elected
African American women as judges; and
WHEREAS, Although the demographics of Harris County have
shifted dramatically in recent years, the judiciary had remained
dominated by white men; 19 distinguished female, African American
attorneys, including 2 sitting judges, recognized the need to
broaden the diversity of the courts, and in 2018, they joined forces
in a campaign they dubbed "Black Girl Magic," adopting a popular
social media theme that celebrates the accomplishments of African
American women in all arenas; when all 17 new candidates won their
elections, their victory gained national attention; and
WHEREAS, The 19 members of the campaign include Judge Maria
T. Jackson, presiding judge of the 339th State District Court,
Judge Ramona Franklin, presiding judge of the 338th Criminal
District Court, and newly elected jurists Judge Sandra Peake, 257th
Judicial District (Family), Judge Michelle Moore, 314th Judicial
District (Juvenile), Judge Germaine Tanner, 311th Judicial
District (Family), Judge Cassandra Y. Holleman, County Criminal
Court-At-Law No. 12, Judge Lucia Bates, Justice of the Peace,
Precinct No. 3, Place 2, Judge Linda Marie Dunson, 309th Judicial
District (Family), Judge Dedra Davis, 270th Judicial District
(Civil), Judge Lori Chambers Gray, 262nd Judicial District
(Criminal), Judge Tonya Jones, County Criminal Court-At-Law
No. 15, Judge Erica Hughes, County Criminal Court-At-Law No. 3,
Judge Sharon M. Burney, Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 7, Place
2, Judge Ronnisha Bowman, County Criminal Court-At-Law No. 2, Judge
Latosha Lewis Payne, 55th Judicial District (Civil), Judge Shannon
Baldwin, County Criminal Court-At-Law No. 4, Judge Toria J. Finch,
County Criminal Court-At-Law No. 9, Judge LaShawn A. Williams,
County Civil Court-At-Law No. 3, and Judge Angela
Graves-Harrington, 246th Judicial District; and
WHEREAS, One of the most diverse counties in the nation,
Harris County now has a judiciary that better reflects the
population it serves, and this achievement is a source of
tremendous pride to the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the 19 African American women
serving as judges in Harris County and extend to them sincere best
wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the judges as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.