1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 426
 1-3           WHEREAS, The retirement of longtime Freestone County sheriff
 1-4     J. R. "Sonny" Sessions, Jr., on December 31, 2000, has brought
 1-5     to a close a distinguished tenure and one of the longest of any
 1-6     sheriff in the State of Texas; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Born November 26, 1926, in Kirvin, Mr. Sessions is
 1-8     the son and great-grandson of Freestone County sheriffs and the
 1-9     great-great-grandson of a Limestone County sheriff; he enlisted
1-10     in the United States Navy shortly before his 18th birthday and
1-11     served in the Philippines, Japan, and the Pacific before
1-12     receiving an honorable discharge; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Following World War II, Mr. Sessions attended
1-14     Texas A&M University and graduated from Navarro Junior College;
1-15     he was a rancher for 15 years before being persuaded to run for
1-16     sheriff in 1964; victorious in that election, he served
1-17     continuously until his retirement 36 years later; and
1-18           WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the paid staff of the
1-19     sheriff's department has expanded to more than 20 officers and
1-20     includes deputies trained to deal with arson, child and elderly
1-21     abuse, and computer crime; Sheriff Sessions also established one
1-22     of the first reserve units in the state, along with a training
 2-1     center for those wanting to obtain a peace officers license; today
 2-2     the unit numbers some 30 fully licensed and trained personnel who
 2-3     volunteer their time for all types of law enforcement work, in
 2-4     addition to assisting at community events; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Other innovations included the installation of
 2-6     a 9-1-1 system, creation of a RUCK program for the elderly, the
 2-7     homebound, and latchkey children, and a drug education program
 2-8     for the schools; a new jail that Sheriff Sessions helped design
 2-9     was erected in the early 1970s and has consistently won
2-10     certification from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards; and
2-11           WHEREAS, Public and professional organizations have
2-12     often benefited from the experience and insight of this notable
2-13     Texan; Sheriff Sessions received an appointment from former
2-14     Governor Mark White to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
2-15     Officer Standards and Education and served on the Criminal Justice
2-16     Advisory Committee for the Heart of Texas Council of Governments;
2-17     he has also served on various committees of the National Sheriffs'
2-18     Association and in many offices of the Sheriffs' Association of
2-19     Texas, including that of president; and
2-20           WHEREAS, Among the accolades Sheriff Sessions has garnered
2-21     over the years have been the Tom Tellepson Award from the Sheriffs'
2-22     Association of Texas and the Masons' Golden Trowel Award; he has
2-23     given generously of his time and talent to the Freestone County
2-24     Historical Committee, Freestone County Museum Board, and the
 3-1     chambers of commerce for Teague, Fairfield, and Wortham; he also
 3-2     holds membership in several veterans' organizations; and
 3-3           WHEREAS, Through the years Sheriff Sessions has drawn
 3-4     support and inspiration from his wife, Peggy, and sons, Hammond,
 3-5     Ken, and James; today the addition of numerous grandchildren has
 3-6     made the Sessions family circle a larger and even livelier clan;
 3-7     and
 3-8           WHEREAS, A model Texas sheriff, Mr. Sessions brought to
 3-9     his work integrity, courage, and unflagging commitment, winning
3-10     the respect and appreciation of countless colleagues and fellow
3-11     citizens, and it is indeed a pleasure to pay special tribute to
3-12     him at this time; now, therefore, be it
3-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-14     77th Legislature, hereby honor J. R. "Sonny" Sessions, Jr.,
3-15     on the occasion of his retirement as sheriff of Freestone County
3-16     and extend to him deep appreciation for 36 years of exemplary
3-17     public service; and, be it further
3-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
3-19     prepared for Sheriff Sessions as an expression of high regard
3-20     from the Texas Senate.
3-21                                                                   Ogden
3-22                                  ______________________________________
3-23                                          President of the Senate
3-24                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-25                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-26                                  on March 7, 2001.
 4-1                                  ______________________________________
 4-2                                          Secretary of the Senate
 4-3                                  ______________________________________
 4-4                                           Member, Texas Senate