SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the
1-2 citizens of Galveston in mourning the untimely loss of County
1-3 Commissioner Wayne Johnson, who died January 25, 1999, at the age
1-4 of 45; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Galveston, he was born October 26, 1953,
1-6 and moved with his parents to La Marque when he was three years
1-7 old; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Commissioner Johnson was the first African American
1-9 to be elected to the commissioners court; he had been active in
1-10 almost every political issue in Galveston County during the 1990s;
1-11 and
1-12 WHEREAS, Instrumental in creating single-member voting
1-13 districts in several Galveston County communities, he had fought a
1-14 battle requiring the old county park board to take competitive
1-15 bids; and
1-16 WHEREAS, President of the student body of La Marque High
1-17 School in 1972, Wayne Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in
1-18 government from The University of Texas in 1976 and his law degree
1-19 from the South Texas College of Law in 1980; and
1-20 WHEREAS, While attending The University of Texas, Mr. Johnson
1-21 went to work for Texas State Senator Babe Schwartz, who was
1-22 impressed with the young man, his willingness to work hard, and his
1-23 intelligence; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Near the beginning of his career, Wayne worked as an
2-1 aide for United States Representative Jack Brooks of Beaumont;
2-2 next, he served for several years as an assistant Galveston County
2-3 district attorney under the late James Hury and then as chief
2-4 felony prosecutor for current District Attorney Mike Guarino; and
2-5 WHEREAS, Taking a position with former Attorney General Jim
2-6 Mattox in 1983, Mr. Johnson became deeply involved in establishing
2-7 the state's first crime victims assistance program, and he was
2-8 credited with turning a bankrupt program into one which was most
2-9 effective; and
2-10 WHEREAS, First elected Precinct Three Commissioner in 1988,
2-11 he immediately earned a reputation as a tenacious fighter for his
2-12 beliefs; his preparedness and knowledge of the issues made others
2-13 rise to his level; and
2-14 WHEREAS, A life member of the National Association for the
2-15 Advancement of Colored People, Mr. Johnson was the group's state
2-16 regional director; later he became national vice president of
2-17 Americans for Democratic Action; and
2-18 WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he
2-19 gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom and courage
2-20 will not be forgotten by his loved ones; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Wayne Johnson leaves a legacy of activism and
2-22 commitment that will remain cherished by all who shared his life;
2-23 he will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
2-24 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-25 hereby extend sincere condolences to his wife, Sally; and, be it
2-26 further
3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his
3-2 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
3-3 Legislature, and that when the Legislature adjourns this day, it do
3-4 so in memory of Wayne Johnson.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the Senate
on February 2, 1999.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 22 was adopted by the House
on May 22, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor