By Lewis of Tarrant H.C.R. No. 41 75R4900 JTR-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, February 12, 1997, has been designated Byron 1-2 Matthews Day in Fort Worth, and the members of the Texas 1-3 Legislature are proud to join his family and friends in honoring 1-4 this notable Texan for his many achievements; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Judge Matthews' long and colorful legal career began 1-6 after his graduation from Baylor University Law School, when at the 1-7 age of 22 he became an assistant district attorney in the Tarrant 1-8 County District Attorney's office; and 1-9 WHEREAS, In 1938 Mr. Matthews entered private practice, 1-10 quickly building a formidable reputation, and by the 1950s he was 1-11 widely acknowledged as the preeminent criminal defense lawyer in 1-12 Fort Worth; accounts of his most celebrated cases have reached the 1-13 status of legend, and he is now a member of the Texas Criminal 1-14 Defense Lawyers Hall of Fame; and 1-15 WHEREAS, The consummate legal acumen and keen intelligence 1-16 that characterized Mr. Matthews' career as an attorney ensured his 1-17 success as a jurist, and he served with distinction for almost 20 1-18 years as judge of Criminal District Court No. 1; among his many 1-19 accomplishments in this position were his inauguration of Tarrant 1-20 County's pretrial release and court coordinator programs; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Judge Matthews takes an active interest in community 1-22 affairs, and he serves on both the Carswell Redevelopment Board and 1-23 the executive committee of the Lake Worth National Bank; an avid 1-24 horseman as well, he has twice been elected president of the 2-1 National Cutting Horse Association; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable career, Judge Matthews has 2-3 drawn strength and inspiration from his wife, Jozelle, and their 2-4 affection and regard for each other have continued to grow and 2-5 flourish for more than half a century; and 2-6 WHEREAS, On Byron Matthews Day, Tarrant County Judge Tom 2-7 Vandergriff will present a Tarrant County flag to Judge Matthews in 2-8 appreciation for his legacy of public service; this ceremony will 2-9 mark the first time that a resident of the county has been 2-10 presented with a flag that has been flown over the Tarrant County 2-11 Courthouse; now, therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-13 hereby honor Judge Byron Matthews for his many contributions to the 2-14 city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and the State of Texas and 2-15 extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and 2-16 happiness in the future; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Judge Matthews as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.