88S20159 JH-D
By: King of Hemphill H.C.R. No. 4
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members and staff of the Texas Legislature are
mourning the loss of a widely respected figure in the Capitol
community with the untimely passing of Tamoria R. Jones at the age
of 35; and
WHEREAS, The longtime chief of staff for State Representative
Harold V. Dutton Jr., Ms. Jones had played an instrumental role in
the operations of his office since 2012; she further distinguished
herself as the committee clerk for the House Urban Affairs
Committee during the 83rd Legislature, the Juvenile Justice and
Family Issues Committee during the 84th, 85th, 86th, and 88th
Legislatures, and the Public Education Committee during the 87th
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, In the course of her duties, Ms. Jones not only
mentored the members of Representative Dutton's staff but also
provided valuable guidance to personnel in numerous other offices;
moreover, her dedicated work in support of bills related to child
literacy and other pivotal issues was widely admired, and her
commitment to legislative service and her passion for improving the
lives of Texas residents were an inspiration to all who had the good
fortune to work alongside her; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jones completed her undergraduate studies at
Prairie View A&M University in 2010 and went on to earn a master's
degree in business administration from Texas Woman's University in
2012; she graduated with her juris doctor from the Thurgood
Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 2018; and
WHEREAS, State law stipulates in Section 2165.256,
Government Code, that a person specified in a concurrent resolution
adopted by the legislature is eligible for burial in the State
Cemetery if the State Cemetery Committee finds that the person has
made a significant contribution to Texas history and, based on that
finding, approves the person's burial; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her outstanding contributions to
the Lone Star State through more than a decade of exemplary service
to the Texas House of Representatives, it is fitting that the family
of Tamoria Jones be allowed to designate the State Cemetery as her
final resting place; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas,
2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of
Tamoria R. Jones and authorize her burial in the State Cemetery,
provided that the application for assignment of burial space is
approved by the State Cemetery Committee as required by law.