By Dutton                                            H.C.R. No. 283

         75R16040 JTR-D                           

                             HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 17, 1997, legal advocate Donna Ringoringo was

 1-2     killed in an automobile accident, and we join her family, friends,

 1-3     and many admirers in mourning their great loss; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A passionate seeker of justice, Ms. Ringoringo was

 1-5     known nationally for her affecting and effective protests against

 1-6     inequities in the judicial system, and she drew attention to these

 1-7     important issues through a number of diverse means, including

 1-8     hunger strikes and street demonstrations; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, At the time of her death she was planning to walk

1-10     from Austin to Washington, D.C., to publicize problems in the legal

1-11     system with regard to domestic violence and child custody cases,

1-12     and her remarkable commitment to this cause was typical of her

1-13     approach to judicial reform; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Ms. Ringoringo's efforts were all the more

1-15     remarkable for her lack of formal education and for the many

1-16     personal attacks she endured in retribution for her work; jailed,

1-17     locked up on mental health warrants, and roundly denounced by the

1-18     judges and attorneys she criticized, she nevertheless continued to

1-19     heighten public consciousness about such issues as judges'

1-20     favoritism toward campaign contributors and the treatment of abuse

1-21     victims in the courts; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Although Donna Ringoringo will be missed, she leaves

1-23     behind an inspiring legacy, and her spirit will live on whenever

1-24     and wherever people raise their voices against injustice; now,

 2-1     therefore, be it

 2-2           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

 2-3     hereby honor the memory of Donna Ringoringo and extend sincere

 2-4     sympathy to her children, to her mother, to her brothers and

 2-5     sister, and to her other family members and friends; and, be it

 2-6     further

 2-7           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-8     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas

 2-9     House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in

2-10     memory of Donna Ringoringo.