2025S0135-1 02/24/25
By: West S.R. No. 188
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the people
of Tarrant County in mourning the loss of the Honorable L.
Clifford Davis, who died February 15, 2025, at the age of 100; and
WHEREAS, Born October 12, 1924, and raised amidst the
Great Depression and Jim Crow segregation in Wilton, Arkansas, L.
Clifford Davis dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights
and ensuring justice for all; as a young man, he moved to Little
Rock with his older siblings to attend high school, and he went on
to earn a bachelor's and master's degree before pursuing his
ambition to study law; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was accepted to Howard University
School of Law, but due to Howard's expense, he attended the
University of Arkansas Law School under conditions of complete
segregation; although he would complete his law degree at Howard
University, he paved the way for other Black students to enter
graduate programs in Arkansas, and he returned to his home state
to begin his law practice; and
WHEREAS, Using Brown v. Board of Education as a
foundation, Mr. Davis fought to desegregate schools in Arkansas,
and in 1954, he passed the Texas bar exam and became one of the
few Black attorneys working in Fort Worth; his efforts resulted
in the integration of the Mansfield and Fort Worth school
districts; in 1977, he organized the Fort Worth Black Bar
Association; and
WHEREAS, Judge Davis became the first appointed and
elected Black district court judge in Tarrant County, which he
served from 1983 until 1988; he presided over the first drug
diversion court in Tarrant County and spent three decades as a
visiting judge in North Texas before returning to practice law;
and
WHEREAS, During his 75 years as a licensed attorney,
Mr. Davis garnered many local, state, and national accolades for
his contributions to his community and to the legal field,
including the prestigious Blackstone Award from the Tarrant
County Bar Association and an honorary doctorate of law degree
from the University of Arkansas; a legal association and a Fort
Worth elementary school were named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Davis found much fulfillment in
his role as a husband to his late wife, Ethel, for more than 50
years and as a loving father to his daughters, Avis and Karen; he
was a devoted member of Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church;
his enthusiasm for mentoring lawyers and judges, providing pro
bono services, and encouraging young people in his community to
pursue higher education contributed to his legacy of community
service and advancing justice; and
WHEREAS, A man of integrity, courage, and generosity, L.
Clifford Davis's extraordinary contributions to civil rights
will long be remembered by our nation and by the people of the
Lone Star State; his remarkable life, his outstanding
achievements, and his dedication to serving others are a source
of inspiration to many, and his memory will be forever treasured
by his loved ones and by all who were privileged to share in his
life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of L. Clifford Davis; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Judge Davis.