89R3297 TBO-D
By: Cole H.R. No. 22
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed attorney and civic leader
drew to a close with the passing of Peter Winstead of Austin on
August 7, 2024, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, The son of Sam and Winifred Winstead, Pete Winstead
was born in Washington, D.C., on August 6, 1940, and he grew up in
Dallas with the companionship of two sisters, Connie and Betty; he
graduated from Highland Park High School in 1958, and he earned a
bachelor's degree from Stanford University before obtaining a juris
doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1965;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Winstead began his legal career in the
U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division in Washington, D.C., and he
gained formative experience by traveling to monitor key events in
the Civil Rights Movement, which helped shape many of his beliefs
and principles; in 1969, he returned to Dallas and accepted a
position at the law firm of Akin, Vial, Hamilton, Koch & Tubb, and
four years later, he cofounded the law firm of Winstead, McGuire &
Sechrest; the practice, which later took the name Winstead PC, grew
rapidly, and in 1987, he and his wife, Tomi, helped open an office
in Austin, where they relocated; and
WHEREAS, A skilled tax attorney, Mr. Winstead provided
numerous start-up companies with guidance on financial backing,
management procurement, and other legal issues, and one of his
proudest professional accomplishments was guiding the initial
public offering of the Dell Computer Corporation in 1988; under his
able leadership, Winstead PC continued to thrive, and the firm
celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Winstead further distinguished himself as chair
of the tax sections for the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar
of Texas, and in 1997, he accepted an appointment from Governor
George W. Bush to serve as the inaugural chair of the Texas Turnpike
Authority; he also chaired the boards of numerous local
organizations and initiatives, including the $50 million capital
campaign for the Dell Seton Medical Center at UT; among his many
honors, he was named Austinite of the Year by the Austin Chamber of
Commerce in 2004, and he received the Jurisprudence Award from the
Anti-Defamation League in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Winstead shared a fulfilling marriage
that spanned four and a half decades; Mr. Winstead was the proud
father of five children, Lynn Winstead, Sara Daun, John Winstead,
Alan Ceshker, and the late Joey Ceshker; over the years, his
treasured family grew to include 10 grandchildren, Talan, Joey,
Avery, and Jaden Ceshker, Lainie and Luke Mabe, Reid and Brady Daun,
Samuel Winstead, and the late Grayson Ceshker; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, his profession, and
his community, Pete Winstead made a meaningful difference in the
lives of his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, 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 memory of Peter Winstead and
extend heartfelt condolences to all 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 Pete
Winstead.