By:  Kubiak                                            H.R. No. 593
       73R9280 JLZ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The death of former Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
    1-2  Judge W. C. Davis, Jr., who passed away on April 5, 1993, at the
    1-3  age of 70, has profoundly saddened his family and friends and is a
    1-4  great loss not only to the community but to the State of Texas as
    1-5  well; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, A resident of Lakeway since 1979, he was born in
    1-7  Bryan on September 13, 1922, attended public schools there, and
    1-8  spent much of his life in service to the residents of that Central
    1-9  Texas community, as an attorney in private practice and as a
   1-10  dedicated public official, before moving on to serve the people of
   1-11  Texas in higher office; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Enrolling at Baylor University after graduating from
   1-13  high school in Bryan in 1940, this patriotic American dutifully
   1-14  interrupted his education to enlist in the armed forces, proudly
   1-15  coming to the aid of his country during its time of need; on
   1-16  completing his three-year tour of military service he resumed his
   1-17  studies and in 1948 received his law degree from Baylor University;
   1-18  and
   1-19        WHEREAS, He then returned to Bryan, where he began his career
   1-20  as an attorney practicing both civil and criminal law; he
   1-21  subsequently expanded his involvement in the community when he
   1-22  entered the realm of public service as a Bryan municipal court
   1-23  judge; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, Having earned widespread respect and admiration for
    2-1  his integrity and dedication, Judge Davis subsequently was elected
    2-2  County Judge of Brazos County and served with distinction in that
    2-3  post until September 1, 1967, when he was appointed judge of the
    2-4  85th Judicial District Court; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, On January 1, 1978, this highly regarded jurist
    2-6  received an appointment to serve on the Texas Court of Criminal
    2-7  Appeals; four months later he won a statewide election to retain
    2-8  his seat on the bench and, with his reelection to a second full
    2-9  term in 1984, gave the citizens of Texas 12 years of distinguished
   2-10  service on that court; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, A graduate of the New York University Appellate
   2-12  Judges Institute, he was recognized for his comprehensive and
   2-13  incisive grasp of legal issues and was licensed to practice before
   2-14  the United States Supreme Court and in federal district courts; he
   2-15  also was a respected and valued member of professional
   2-16  organizations such as the State Bar of Texas and the Travis County
   2-17  Bar Association; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, In addition to making significant contributions to
   2-19  the legal profession, Judge Davis also gave generously of his time
   2-20  and energy outside the courtroom to support community service and
   2-21  fraternal organizations, serving proudly as a member of the Ben Hur
   2-22  Shrine Temple and as a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason; a devout
   2-23  Christian, he was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of
   2-24  Bryan before joining the Lakeway Ecumenical Church in later years;
   2-25  and
   2-26        WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Judge Davis
   2-27  consistently exemplified the highest ideals of public service and
    3-1  an abiding concern for the well-being of his fellow human beings,
    3-2  and though his presence will be greatly missed, the legacy of
    3-3  service he leaves behind has ensured that his memory will long
    3-4  endure in the hearts and minds of those whose lives he touched;
    3-5  now, therefore, be it
    3-6        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
    3-7  Legislature hereby honor the memory of Judge W. C. Davis, Jr., and
    3-8  extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife,
    3-9  Mary Louise Davis; to his son, William Craig Davis; to his three
   3-10  grandchildren, Amanda, Jefferson, and Dean; to his sister, Mrs. T.
   3-11  D. Craddock; and to all the friends and relatives who have mourned
   3-12  his passing; and, be it further
   3-13        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
   3-14  for the members of his family and that when the Texas House of
   3-15  Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge W.
   3-16  C. Davis, Jr.