| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Residents of Brazoria County lost an admired civic |
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| 6 | 7 | | leader with the passing of former county sheriff and county judge |
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| 7 | 8 | | E. J. King on August 1, 2023, at the age of 79; and |
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| 8 | 9 | | WHEREAS, A veteran of the U.S. Army, "Joe" King served with |
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| 9 | 10 | | the Texas Department of Public Safety for a dozen years before |
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| 10 | 11 | | joining the Brazoria Police Department as a lieutenant; he was |
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| 11 | 12 | | elected sheriff in 1980, and over the course of an exemplary 24-year |
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| 12 | 13 | | tenure, he implemented significant reforms and upgraded facilities |
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| 13 | 14 | | and equipment; moreover, he set a sterling example of courage, |
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| 14 | 15 | | dedication, and integrity in the pursuit of justice and the |
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| 15 | 16 | | furtherance of public safety; elected county judge in 2006, he |
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| 16 | 17 | | worked tirelessly to improve infrastructure and enhance the quality |
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| 17 | 18 | | of life in the rapidly growing area; in all his endeavors, he |
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| 18 | 19 | | fostered an environment of trust and cooperation with his staff and |
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| 19 | 20 | | developed strong connections with residents of the diverse |
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| 20 | 21 | | community; and |
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| 21 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Judge King gave generously of his time and expertise |
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| 22 | 23 | | to numerous charitable causes and civic organizations, including |
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| 23 | 24 | | the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Brazoria |
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| 24 | 25 | | County Cattlemen's Association, the Brazoria County Fair, the |
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| 25 | 26 | | American Legion, and The 100 Club of Brazoria County; among |
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| 26 | 27 | | numerous accolades, he received the Distinguished Citizen Award |
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| 27 | 28 | | from the Bay Area Council Boy Scouts of America, the Outstanding |
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| 28 | 29 | | Alumni Award from the Alvin Community College Alumni Association, |
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| 29 | 30 | | and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of |
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| 30 | 31 | | Houston-Clear Lake; he was a cattleman all his life, and his |
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| 31 | 32 | | retirement in 2014 allowed him to focus more fully on his ranch; |
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| 32 | 33 | | above all, he was devoted to his family; he shared 32 years of |
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| 33 | 34 | | marriage with his wife, Jackie, and he took great pride in his son, |
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| 34 | 35 | | daughter, and four grandsons; and |
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| 35 | 36 | | WHEREAS, Joe King made a lasting, positive imprint on |
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| 36 | 37 | | Brazoria County through his visionary leadership, and although he |
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| 37 | 38 | | is deeply missed by those he left behind, they will treasure their |
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| 38 | 39 | | memories of his warmth, kindness, and empathy; now, therefore, be |
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| 39 | 40 | | it |
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| 40 | 41 | | RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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| 41 | 42 | | 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable |
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| 42 | 43 | | E. J. "Joe" King and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his |
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| 43 | 44 | | passing; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 45 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 45 | 46 | | prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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| 46 | 47 | | Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of |
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| 47 | 48 | | Joe King. |
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