By Homer H.C.R. No. 232 77R11248 MMS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The late Thomas D. "Tom" Wells of Paris rendered 1-2 exceptional public service as county and district attorney of Lamar 1-3 County and as a special prosecutor during his lifetime; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was born in 1-5 1944, Mr. Wells was reared in Paris and graduated from Baylor 1-6 University in 1967; he and his wife, Rusty, married the following 1-7 year, and the couple's family grew to include two sons, Todd and 1-8 Damon; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After earning a law degree from St. Mary's 1-10 University in 1972, Mr. Wells returned to Paris to practice law 1-11 with his father; swiftly gaining the respect of his colleagues and 1-12 fellow citizens, he won election as county and district attorney of 1-13 Lamar County in 1976 and held that office without interruption 1-14 until his retirement on December 31, 1996; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, this distinguished Texan 1-16 devoted substantial time and energy to prosecutors' concerns at the 1-17 state and national levels; active in the Texas District and County 1-18 Attorneys Association from his first day on the job, he joined the 1-19 association's board of directors in 1980 and three years later 1-20 became president of the organization; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Mr. Wells chaired the Texas Prosecutor Standards and 1-22 Guidelines Advisory Committee for three years, during which time he 1-23 oversaw the preparation and adoption of a comprehensive set of 1-24 ethical guidelines; he also served as a board member and as vice 2-1 president with the National District Attorneys Association; and 2-2 WHEREAS, After leaving public office, Mr. Wells continued to 2-3 work for Texans in the courtroom, accepting appointment as special 2-4 prosecutor in a variety of cases around the state; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Wells was renowned in the legal community for 2-6 his consummate expertise and for his legendary ability to capture 2-7 the attention of a jury; a conscientious mentor to younger 2-8 prosecutors, he remained passionate about his work and engendered a 2-9 fierce loyalty among his staff, local law enforcement officers, and 2-10 the citizens of Lamar County, and it is indeed fitting that he be 2-11 remembered for his eminent contributions to the cause of justice 2-12 and to the welfare of society; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-14 hereby pay tribute to the life of Thomas D. "Tom" Wells and express 2-15 deep appreciation for his lifetime of outstanding service in behalf 2-16 of the people of Texas.