H.R. No. 14
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a respected jurist drew to a close with
the passing of the Honorable Morris Lee Overstreet on March 3, 2024,
at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, Born in Amarillo on July 10, 1950, Morris Overstreet
was the son of West and Nora Johnson Overstreet; he distinguished
himself athletically at George Washington Carver High School, where
he played football and competed in track and field, and he went on
to graduate with honors from Amarillo High School; he earned a track
scholarship to Angelo State University, and after receiving a
degree in sociology, he obtained his juris doctor degree from the
school of law at Texas Southern University; and
WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet began his career in public service,
becoming an assistant district attorney in Amarillo's
47th Judicial District; he transitioned to private practice from
1981 to 1986, and he subsequently served for four years as the
presiding judge for the Potter County Court; in 1990, he
successfully ran for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals,
making him the first African American elected to a statewide
position in Texas since Reconstruction; he authored more than 500
opinions during his seven years on the court; and
WHEREAS, Later in his career, Judge Overstreet practiced law
in Austin, Houston, and Galveston, as well as in Waller County; he
served as a judge in Waller County's Prairie View Municipal Court,
and he gave back to his alma mater, TSU, in his roles as director of
its legal clinic and as a distinguished visiting professor;
moreover, he joined with his cousin Brian Overstreet to operate a
sports management firm, USG Sports; he was a partner with the law
firm of Hance Scarborough, LLP, until shortly before his death, and
he held membership in such organizations as the State Bar of Texas,
the American Bar Association, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet shared a rewarding marriage with
his wife, Dr. Carla Ortique, and his cherished family included his
two children, Elizabeth and West, as well as three grandchildren,
Tyriece, Marrissa, and Morris; he delighted in traveling and
celebrating holidays with his loved ones, and he brought joy to many
family gatherings with his playful sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, Judge Morris Overstreet made an indelible impact
through his myriad accomplishments as a public servant, civic
leader, and legal authority, and he will forever be a source of
inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Morris
Lee Overstreet and extend deepest condolences to his family and
friends; 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 Judge
Morris Overstreet.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 14 was unanimously adopted by a rising
vote of the House on March 6, 2025.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House