H.R. No. 329
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Admired attorney Jeff Blackburn died on February 7,
2023, at the age of 65, bringing a great loss to his family, his
friends, and the legal community; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Blackburn was born on May 1, 1957, in Amarillo;
he earned his law degree from the University of Houston and
subsequently began practicing law in his hometown in 1983; in 1988,
he became board certified as a specialist in criminal law; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his exemplary career, Mr. Blackburn
worked tirelessly representing the poor and disadvantaged in
criminal and civil rights cases across the State of Texas, and he
also spearheaded a number of significant criminal justice reform
efforts in Texas; two of his most celebrated cases were the Tulia
Drug Bust of 1999, where he secured the pardon of 38 defendants, and
the posthumous exoneration of Tim Cole, who had been falsely
convicted and died in prison; in 2006, he founded the Innocence
Project of Texas and served as its chief counsel until 2015; in
recognition of his many accomplishments, he received a multitude of
awards, including the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year
award, the Frank Spurlock Award, and the Warren Burnett Award, and
he was also honored by numerous civil rights groups, such as the
American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People, the League of United Latin American
Citizens, and the Texas Civil Rights Project; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Blackburn eventually moved to New Mexico with
his partner, Jessy Tyler, and while there, he created the Rio Grande
Regional Justice Project; in his free time, he enjoyed traveling,
reading, organic farming, listening to good music, and engaging in
great conversation; moreover, he was a devoted father to his two
sons, Sam and John; and
WHEREAS, Jeff Blackburn was a powerful advocate for his
clients and for criminal justice reform, and although he will be
greatly missed by those he left behind, they will forever remember
his dedication, his generosity, and his passion for life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jeff Blackburn and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
sons, Sam and his wife, Scotney, and John; to his grandchildren,
Archer and Oliver; to his partner, Jessy Tyler; and to the many
others who mourn his passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jeff
Blackburn.
Dutton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 329 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 8, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House