H.R. No. 9 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Benjamin L. Hall III for his outstanding service as the city 1-3 attorney of Houston; and 1-4 WHEREAS, This skilled lawyer, who recently returned to 1-5 private practice, had presided over the complex legal affairs of 1-6 the state's largest city with enviable skill since 1992 and in so 1-7 doing had earned the admiration of his peers for his fair and 1-8 effective administration of the office; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was a 1-10 Merrill Griswold Scholar, Mr. Hall studied in Bonn, Germany, as a 1-11 Fulbright/DAAD Scholar and is an honors graduate of the University 1-12 of South Carolina; his host of academic achievements also includes 1-13 a doctorate and a master's degree from Duke University and the Duke 1-14 Divinity School; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Before accepting his most recent position, he served 1-16 a distinguished six-year tenure at the Houston law firm of Vinson & 1-17 Elkins, where he was highly regarded for his expertise in insurance 1-18 and local government law as well as his proficiency in other areas 1-19 of concentration; and 1-20 WHEREAS, This expert litigator has been admitted to practice 1-21 before a number of federal courts, including the Fifth Circuit 1-22 Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court; and 1-23 WHEREAS, A dynamic and popular lecturer, he has spoken on a 1-24 wide variety of topics ranging from insurance and legal issues to 2-1 minority rights and ethics; he also has authored several noted 2-2 professional works and served as an adjunct professor at the 2-3 University of Houston Law Center from 1987 to 1992; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Hall shares his time as a valued member of 2-5 numerous professional and civic organizations as well, including 2-6 the Houston Bar Association, the Texas Young Lawyers Association, 2-7 and the Houston chapter of the NAACP, in addition to serving as a 2-8 board member of the local chapters of the American Red Cross and 2-9 the American Diabetes Association; and 2-10 WHEREAS, An ordained minister, this remarkable gentleman has 2-11 served as a constant source of inspiration, faith, and guidance to 2-12 the members of the congregation of the Progressive Church of Our 2-13 Lord Jesus Christ since 1974; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Throughout his career and long-standing record of 2-15 community service, Mr. Hall has enjoyed the affection and support 2-16 of his beloved wife, Saundra, and the couple's son, Benjamin; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Though he has not yet reached his 40th birthday, 2-18 this brilliant attorney has compiled an impressive record of 2-19 achievement while adhering to the highest standards of personal and 2-20 professional conduct; his exceptional tenure has contributed 2-21 significantly to the betterment of his community, and he is indeed 2-22 deserving of special praise and recognition for his notable efforts 2-23 in this regard; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-25 Legislature hereby commend Benjamin L. Hall III for his exemplary 2-26 service to the city of Houston and extend sincere best wishes to 2-27 him for continued success in his future endeavors; and, be it 3-1 further 3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-3 prepared for Mr. Hall as an expression of high regard by the Texas 3-4 House of Representatives.