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.