H.R. No. 1322
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For three decades, Austin attorney Gary Bledsoe has
rendered exceptional service as president of the Texas NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bledsoe earned his juris doctor degree from The
University of Texas School of Law, where he was president of the
Class of 1976; his practice areas have included public interest,
employment, and civil rights law, and in recognition of his legal
acumen, he received a coveted AV professional rating from
Martindale-Hubbell; he has also been awarded Lawyer of the Year
honors from the Travis County Bar Association and several other
organizations; and
WHEREAS, This well-respected legal professional has long
championed the work of the NAACP, and he has held the office of
president of the Texas NAACP since being elected in 1991; he has
additionally served on the NAACP's national board since 2003, and
he currently chairs the organization's National Criminal Justice
Committee; and
WHEREAS, Through his affiliation with the NAACP, Mr. Bledsoe
has been a staunch defender of civil rights; he handled cases
involving allegations of discrimination against the Texas
Department of Public Safety, and he further lent his expertise to
the Austin Cedar Avenue case that led to widespread changes in how
instances of police brutality are addressed; the landmark
settlement for that case was used to create a scholarship program
for college-bound minority youth, and Mr. Bledsoe also went on to
successfully negotiate with the H-E-B supermarket chain to
establish a scholarship program for African American students
attending historically Black universities; and
WHEREAS, In honor of his many achievements, Mr. Bledsoe has
received the Kelly Alexander State President of the Year Award, the
Juanita Jackson Mitchell Award for Legal Advocacy, and the Benjamin
Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award, and he was inducted into the
Houston Hall of Fame at Riverside General Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his exemplary tenure with the
NAACP, Gary Bledsoe has done much to advance the causes of equality
and justice in his community, state, and nation, and it is a
pleasure to join his peers in recognizing him for his lifelong
commitment to these ideals; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Gary Bledsoe for his contributions as
president of the Texas NAACP and extend to him sincere best wishes
for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Bledsoe as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Reynolds
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1322 was adopted by the House on May
26, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House