SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 98 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is honored to pay tribute to Senator Judith Zaffirini, a distinguished leader and dedicated public servant, in recognition of her esteemed position as Dean of the Texas Senate and on the occasion of her birthday on February 13, 2025; and WHEREAS, Elected to the Texas Senate in 1986, Senator Zaffirini has long held the enduring respect of her constituents, and as the Senate's longest-serving and highest-ranking member, she holds the title of Dean of the Texas Senate and is the first woman to achieve this distinction; and WHEREAS, Not only the first female senator to serve as Dean but also the first Mexican American woman to serve as a senator in Texas, Dean Zaffirini represents District 21 and the people of the Lone Star State with remarkable dedication and loyalty, and she inspires the confidence and trust of her constituents and the admiration of her colleagues across state government; and WHEREAS, An alumna of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, Dean Zaffirini is an accomplished communications specialist, a former educator, and a public servant who is well known for her work ethic and for her achievements in health care, family support, and education; throughout her years of legislative and professional work, she has remained deeply devoted to her family and to helping the families of Texas, and she has cherished the love and support of her husband, Carlos M. Zaffirini, her son and daughter-by-marriage, Carlos M. Zaffirini Jr. and Audrey, and her grandsons, Asher and George; and WHEREAS, Dean Zaffirini is a highly regarded legislator and state leader who gives generously of her time and energy to community and public affairs and consistently exhibits a deep love of the Texas land and of its citizens; her wealth of knowledge has been an invaluable asset to the Senate; she has cast more than 72,000 consecutive votes since 1987, a record for the Texas Legislature; and WHEREAS, Senator Zaffirini's successful career is marked by her exemplary decision-making and statesmanship; her support of causes for the betterment of our state and her work as a lawmaker are testaments to her high standards, strong leadership, and commitment to public service, and her loyalty to the Senate body has earned her the highest regard of those with whom she serves; and WHEREAS, The members of the Texas Senate are proud to have the opportunity to honor Dean Zaffirini for her outstanding contributions to the citizens of Texas on this special day and to pay tribute to her for her many accomplishments and for her dedication to our state; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commendSenatorJudithZaffirini,Deanof the Texas Senate, for her exceptional achievements on behalf of the citizens of this state and extend to her sincere appreciation and best wishes for a most enjoyable birthday celebration; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of the admiration and esteem of the Texas Senate. Huffman Alvarado Hagenbuch Menéndez Alvarado Hagenbuch Menéndez Alvarado Hagenbuch Menéndez Bettencourt Hall Middleton Bettencourt Hall Middleton Bettencourt Hall Middleton Birdwell Hancock Miles Birdwell Hancock Miles Birdwell Hancock Miles Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Cook Hughes Paxton Cook Hughes Paxton Cook Hughes Paxton Creighton Johnson Perry Creighton Johnson Perry Creighton Johnson Perry Eckhardt King Schwertner Eckhardt King Schwertner Eckhardt King Schwertner Flores Kolkhorst Sparks Flores Kolkhorst Sparks Flores Kolkhorst Sparks Gutierrez West Gutierrez West Gutierrez West Patrick, President of the Senate ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 13, 2025. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Alvarado Hagenbuch Menéndez Bettencourt Hall Middleton Birdwell Hancock Miles Blanco Hinojosa of Hidalgo Nichols Campbell Hinojosa of Nueces Parker Cook Hughes Paxton Creighton Johnson Perry Eckhardt King Schwertner Flores Kolkhorst Sparks Gutierrez West