By:  Jackson, Ellis, Bernsen                          S.C.R. No. 22
         99S0200/1                           
                            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
 2-1           WHEREAS, Near the beginning of his career, Wayne worked as an
 2-2     aide for United States Representative Jack Brooks of Beaumont;
 2-3     next, he served for several years as an assistant Galveston County
 2-4     district attorney under the late James Hury and then as chief
 2-5     felony prosecutor for current District Attorney Mike Guarino; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Taking a position with former Attorney General Jim
 2-7     Mattox in  1983, Mr. Johnson became deeply involved in establishing
 2-8     the state's first crime victims assistance program, and he was
 2-9     credited with turning a bankrupt program into one which was most
2-10     effective; and
2-11           WHEREAS, First elected Precinct Three Commissioner in 1988,
2-12     he immediately earned a reputation as a tenacious fighter for his
2-13     beliefs; his preparedness and knowledge of the issues made others
2-14     rise to his level; and
2-15           WHEREAS, A life member of the National Association for the
2-16     Advancement of Colored People, Mr. Johnson was the group's state
2-17     regional director; later he became national vice president of
2-18     Americans for Democratic Action; and
2-19           WHEREAS, A man of integrity, strength, and generosity, he
2-20     gave unselfishly of his time to others, and his wisdom and courage
2-21     will not be forgotten by his loved ones; and
2-22           WHEREAS, Wayne Johnson leaves a legacy of activism and
2-23     commitment that will remain cherished by all who shared his life;
2-24     he will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it
2-25           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
 3-1     hereby extend sincere condolences to his wife, Sally; and, be it
 3-2     further
 3-3           RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his
 3-4     family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
 3-5     Legislature, and that when the Legislature adjourns this day, it do
 3-6     so in memory of Wayne Johnson.