By Uher H.R. No. 397 75R6146 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, June 6, 1997, marks the fourth anniversary of the 1-2 passing of the Honorable Edmund Eugene "Sonny" Jones, Jr., and it 1-3 is indeed appropriate that the members of this chamber pay tribute 1-4 to him at this time; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Jones's life was deeply rooted in the history of 1-6 our state, for he was a descendant of two prominent early Texans: 1-7 Henry Jones, one of the earliest settlers of Fort Bend County, and 1-8 Thomas Barnett, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence; 1-9 Mr. Jones maintained his family's proud history of involvement 1-10 through his exemplary service as a public official, civic leader, 1-11 and businessman; and 1-12 WHEREAS, A respected member of the Houston community, he 1-13 served his fellow citizens with integrity as a member of the House 1-14 of Representatives of the 60th, 61st, and 62nd Texas Legislatures 1-15 and earned further distinction as the first Republican elected to 1-16 this chamber from Harris County after Reconstruction; and 1-17 WHEREAS, During his fine tenure, Representative Jones helped 1-18 to initiate reform as a member of the Dirty Thirty; deeply 1-19 committed to highway safety issues as well, he cosponsored a bill 1-20 mandating the use of reflector triangles on tractors, to the 1-21 benefit of countless Texans; and 1-22 WHEREAS, He continued to work for the betterment of his 1-23 community after leaving office as director of the Harris County 1-24 Housing Authority, in which capacity he effectively managed a host 2-1 of important concerns during his four years of service; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In addition to his outstanding work in these areas, 2-3 Mr. Jones was a dedicated civic leader who chaired the Houston 2-4 Jaycees' Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration in 1966, and his 2-5 efforts helped to ensure a memorable event for many in the 2-6 community; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Well known for his unwavering commitment to the 2-8 Republican Party, Mr. Jones held leadership positions with the 2-9 Harris County Young Republicans and was a member of Young Americans 2-10 for Freedom during the early 1960s, and his active involvement 2-11 greatly strengthened the party's presence in the region; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Sonny Jones was a man of immense vision who 2-13 dedicated much of his life to the betterment of his community and 2-14 state, and as the fourth anniversary of his death approaches, it is 2-15 truly fitting that we reflect on the lasting legacy of achievement 2-16 he has left behind; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby honor the memory of former State Representative 2-19 Edmund Eugene "Sonny" Jones, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to 2-20 the members of his family: to his daughters, Melinda Holt Jones 2-21 Little and Margaret Holland Jones; to his son, Michael Howell 2-22 Jones; to his four grandchildren, Katherine Margaret Little, 2-23 William Barnett Little, David Case Little, and Christopher Michael 2-24 Jones; and to the many other friends and relatives of this eminent 2-25 Texan; and, be it further 2-26 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-27 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-1 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-2 the Honorable Edmund Eugene "Sonny" Jones, Jr.