H.C.R. No. 55 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately convey the sorrow that has 1-2 accompanied the news of the passing of Robert Henderson of Austin 1-3 on October 12, 1994, at the age of 50; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born September 19, 1944, in 1-5 Denton and moved with his family to the Henderson family farm near 1-6 Frost shortly after his birth; following his graduation from Frost 1-7 High School, he enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin, 1-8 where he gained admittance into the Plan II Honors program; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After receiving his undergraduate degree, 1-10 Mr. Henderson entered The University of Texas School of Law in 1967 1-11 and it was during this period that he met his future bride, the 1-12 former Marina Sharp, whom he married in 1969; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Following his graduation from law school that same 1-14 year, Mr. Henderson accepted a position with the legal staff of the 1-15 Texas Legislative Council, in which capacity he provided sound 1-16 legal advice and bill drafting assistance to members of the 1-17 legislature; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Over the course of the next 17 years, this respected 1-19 attorney gained a well-deserved reputation for excellence as an 1-20 attorney for the council and ultimately became the agency's general 1-21 counsel and director of its legal division; during his outstanding 1-22 tenure, he also served as counsel to the Local Government Committee 1-23 of the Texas Constitutional Convention in 1974 and participated as 1-24 an associate member of the National Conference of Commissioners on 2-1 Uniform State Laws in addition to his regular duties; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In 1986, Mr. Henderson joined the Austin office of 2-3 Hughes & Luce and was named a partner in the firm the following 2-4 year; a recognized authority in the areas of administrative, 2-5 legislative, and regulatory law, he became head of the firm's 2-6 public law section and also served on its management committee 2-7 during his distinguished association with the firm; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, Robert Henderson 2-9 earned the friendship and admiration of all who were privileged to 2-10 know him; blessed with an unassuming good nature and a sense of 2-11 humor that can best be described as unique, this fine gentleman 2-12 provided a much needed breath of fresh air in the lives of his many 2-13 friends and family members, who have chosen to keep his memory 2-14 alive through the establishment of the Robert F. Henderson Endowed 2-15 Presidential Scholarship in State Government Law at The University 2-16 of Texas School of Law; and 2-17 WHEREAS, In all aspects of his life, Robert Henderson 2-18 exemplified the highest standards of excellence and integrity and 2-19 it is indeed appropriate that we honor him today for the many 2-20 significant contributions he made to the betterment of this state; 2-21 now, therefore, be it 2-22 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-23 hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert Henderson and extend 2-24 deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Marina 2-25 Sharp Henderson; to his son, Charles Andrew Henderson; to his 2-26 brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Margaret Henderson of Austin; 2-27 and to his aunt, Mary Ruth Henderson of Dallas; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-2 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-3 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in 3-4 memory of Robert Henderson.