2023S0329-1 03/27/23
By: Hinojosa S.C.R. No. 41
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize Chief Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa on 40 years of exemplary
service as a judicial official; and
WHEREAS, Ricardo Hinojosa served as chief judge of the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 2009
until 2016 and was nominated for federal judgeship by President
Ronald Reagan in April of 1983; and
WHEREAS, The Southern District, one of the Lone Star State's
four federal judicial districts, extends from Houston to Laredo and
is headquartered in Houston; Judge Hinojosa was the 25th judge to
serve the Southern District since its creation in 1902; and
WHEREAS, Ricardo Hinojosa was born in Rio Grande City to
Miguel and Josefina Hinojosa; he was the valedictorian of his
graduating class at Rio Grande City High School, and he went on to
earn his bachelor's degree with honors from The University of Texas
in 1972 before graduating from Harvard Law School in 1975; and
WHEREAS, After earning his law degree, Ricardo Hinojosa
clerked for the Texas Supreme Court for one year and entered private
practice with Ewers and Toothaker Law Firm in McAllen; he went on to
hold the positions of commissioner, acting chair, and chair for the
United States Sentencing Commission, and he taught at The
University of Texas Law School from 2001 through 2003; and
WHEREAS, Highly respected by the residents of the Rio Grande
Valley for his outstanding leadership and his commitment to
justice, Judge Hinojosa gives generously of his time and resources
to serve his community and his judicial district; he was named one
of "America's Top 40 Public Servants" by Management Magazine and
was a member of the advisory group on sentencing for the American
Law Institute's Model Penal Code project; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his dedicated public service, Judge
Hinojosa served as a member of the President's Commission on White
House Fellows and as chairman of the Texas Commission on the
Bicentennial of the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, A man of humility, grace, and integrity, Judge
Hinojosa takes pride in upholding the law and protecting and
representing the interests of his community and his state; he
credits his parents, teachers, and mentors for forging his strength
of character and his commitment to service, and he continually
expresses his gratitude for their invaluable lessons; it is truly
fitting that he receive special recognition on his years of
distinguished service to the people of Texas and on his many
contributions to our state's bright future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commend Chief Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa on 40 years of
exceptional judicial service and extend to him best wishes in all of
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 Legislature.