S.C.R. No. 108
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that the Texas Legislature
1-2 mourns the death of one of the legendary giants of Texas politics,
1-3 Robert E. Johnson, on March 26, 1995; and
1-4 WHEREAS, For the past 30 years, whether as legislator,
1-5 Legislative Council Executive Director, or parliamentarian, Bob
1-6 Johnson left an indelible impression on Texas government; few
1-7 individuals could match his impressive and unsurpassable knowledge
1-8 of every facet of state government; and
1-9 WHEREAS, A trusted friend and valued counselor, Mr. Johnson
1-10 offered his invaluable advice to seven governors, four lieutenant
1-11 governors, nine speakers, and more than 1,000 members of the House
1-12 and Senate; and
1-13 WHEREAS, A graduate of Sunset High School in Dallas and
1-14 Southern Methodist University Law School, Mr. Johnson entered the
1-15 political fray in 1956 as a candidate for the Texas House of
1-16 Representatives; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Enormously popular, Bob Johnson served his
1-18 constituents for seven years until he resigned to become Executive
1-19 Director of the Texas Legislative Council; accepting the additional
1-20 burdens of House Parliamentarian in 1965, Mr. Johnson performed
1-21 brilliantly and was nicknamed "Mr. Ventriloquist" for his ability
1-22 to whisper arcane points of order out of the side of his mouth,
1-23 while listening intently to endless debate; and
2-1 WHEREAS, As parliamentarian, Mr. Johnson earned the respect
2-2 of liberals and conservatives alike; despite his personal views, he
2-3 issued rulings impartially and fairly, depending on their merits;
2-4 and
2-5 WHEREAS, Resigning from the council in 1980, Mr. Johnson
2-6 pursued a career as an administrative law practitioner and lobbyist
2-7 with the firm of Johnson and Johnson until newly elected Lieutenant
2-8 Governor Bob Bullock beseeched his old friend to offer assistance
2-9 as Senate Parliamentarian; and
2-10 WHEREAS, In this role, "Big Daddy" or Mr. Johnson earned the
2-11 respect and affection of a whole new generation of senators and
2-12 staff people who learned how Texas politics really should be played
2-13 from the wily old pro; calm and deliberate, Mr. Johnson never
2-14 became embroiled in petty issues, proposing brilliant solutions to
2-15 seeming legislative impasses; and
2-16 WHEREAS, His craggy exterior belied a gentle and kind heart;
2-17 to those privileged to know him, Bob Johnson was unfailingly loyal
2-18 and compassionate; his generosity knew no bounds, and we are all
2-19 the richer for it; and
2-20 WHEREAS, His honesty and integrity are cherished legacies
2-21 that he bequeathed his children; Bob Johnson was a loving father to
2-22 Rob, Gordon, Karen, Stanley, and the late Anne Marie, and they, in
2-23 turn, never doubted the depths of his devotion to them; and
2-24 WHEREAS, A Texan in size and in heart, Bob Johnson was a
2-25 gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and we shall not see his
3-1 like again; now, therefore, be it
3-2 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-3 hereby pay tribute to the life of service and dedication of Robert
3-4 E. Johnson and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
3-5 family: his wife, Judy; his children, Rob, Gordon, Stanley, and
3-6 Karen; and his eight grandchildren, Katherine Scott Johnson, Haley
3-7 Hillert Johnson, Robert Ellis "Jake" Johnson III, Ross Ohlrich
3-8 Johnson, Reed Hilary Ellis Johnson, Emily Judith Pounds, Sidney
3-9 Michael Pounds, and Stanley Scott "Hayden" Johnson II; and, be it
3-10 further
3-11 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the
3-12 members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
3-13 Texas Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day,
3-14 it do so in memory of Bob Johnson.