By Kuempel H.R. No. 1091 74R14087 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The family and many friends of Mary Joe Durning 1-2 Carroll were deeply saddened by the passing of this remarkable 1-3 woman on March 17, 1995, at the age of 80; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mrs. Carroll was born June 25, 1914, 1-5 in Wichita Falls; an outstanding student and an award-winning 1-6 public speaker, she received several scholarships to The University 1-7 of Texas at Austin, where she earned both a bachelor's degree and a 1-8 master's degree; and 1-9 WHEREAS, It was there that she met and fell in love with H. 1-10 Bailey Carroll, an instructor at the university, and after their 1-11 marriage, the couple settled in Austin to raise their family; 1-12 Professor Carroll also served as the executive director of the 1-13 Texas State Historical Association, and he and his wife worked 1-14 together on the publication of the acclaimed Handbook of Texas; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mrs. Carroll's primary ambition was to become a 1-16 lawyer, and in 1944 she began taking courses at The University of 1-17 Texas School of Law; she received her law degree 11 years later and 1-18 earned the highest score among the applicants taking the June 1955 1-19 bar examinations, winning widespread recognition as the first woman 1-20 in the state to earn such a distinction; and 1-21 WHEREAS, She began her distinguished legal career soon after 1-22 her 41st birthday, and over the years, her intellect and expertise 1-23 were valued by clients such as the Texas Restaurant Association, 1-24 the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Texas Press Association; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Highly regarded for her integrity and ability, this 2-2 esteemed attorney was asked to serve as parliamentarian for the 2-3 Texas Senate in 1961, and her outstanding service to Lieutenant 2-4 Governor Ben Ramsey earned her the respect and admiration of all 2-5 who worked with her; she later would be asked to draft such 2-6 groundbreaking legislation as the Texas Open Records Act and the 2-7 Open Meetings Act, and she offered invaluable insight in the 2-8 shaping of public education policy; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Mrs. Carroll excelled in the 2-10 area of appellate briefing and argument; her last two appellate 2-11 appearances were just before and just after her 80th birthday, and 2-12 both cases resulted in victories for her; and 2-13 WHEREAS, In all aspects of her life and her career, Mary Joe 2-14 Carroll exemplified the highest standards of excellence and 2-15 dedication; though her presence is gone from us now, her unique 2-16 spirit will long endure in the hearts of those who were privileged 2-17 to know her; now, therefore, be it 2-18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-19 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Mary Joe Durning 2-20 Carroll and extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family: 2-21 to her son, J. Speed Carroll; to her grandson, Charles Durning 2-22 Carroll; and to all the relatives and friends of this beloved 2-23 woman, including her colleagues at Clark, Thomas & Winters, a 2-24 Professional Corporation, and especially to Burgain G. Hayes, his 2-25 wife, Kathy Hayes, and their children, Christine Hayes, Katie 2-26 Hayes, Burgain Hayes IV, and Mary Margaret Hayes; and, be it 2-27 further 3-1 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-2 prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas 3-3 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-4 Mary Joe Durning Carroll.