78R2731 JH-D

By:  Talton                                                     H.C.R. No. 24 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, With the passing of the Honorable John Ray Harrison, 
Sr., of Pasadena on December 22, 2001, at the age of 71, the State of 
Texas lost a longtime and much-esteemed public figure; and 
	WHEREAS, This native Texan was born in Abilene on August 2, 
1930, and graduated from Abilene High School; he later earned a 
bachelor's degree from McMurry College and a doctor of 
jurisprudence degree from South Texas School of Law; and
	WHEREAS, A practicing attorney for more than a 
quarter-century, Mr. Harrison was elected to the Texas House of 
Representatives in 1964; he was named Outstanding Freshman Member 
during the 59th Legislature, and his achievements in office 
included passage of a bill raising the age for compulsory school 
attendance to 17 years and a bill that became a model for municipal 
ordinances requiring fences at public pools; and
	WHEREAS, After serving on the Pasadena City Council for four 
years beginning in 1969, Mr. Harrison was elected mayor in 1973 and 
again in 1977, 1985, and 1989; during his outstanding tenure, he 
succeeded in constructing and renovating ballparks around the city 
and worked diligently to improve the quality of life for his 
constituents; from 1978 to 1985, Mr. Harrison served as a Texas 
state district judge for Harris County; and
	WHEREAS, Widely respected for his able leadership, John Ray 
Harrison shared his time and energy generously with both 
professional and community organizations; a former president of the 
Pasadena Bar Association, he also led the Harris County Mayors and 
Councils Association; and
	WHEREAS, Other organizations that benefited from his active 
involvement include the Neighborhood Center, YMCA, Pasadena 
National Little League, and Pasadena Teenage Baseball, in addition 
to the Pasadena Rodeo Association and the Pasadena Barrister's Fast 
Pitch Association; he was, moreover, a valued member of the city's 
First United Methodist Church; and
	WHEREAS, For his efforts, Mr. Harrison was named Pasadena's 
Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1960 and the city's Outstanding 
Male Citizen in 1980; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Harrison's devotion to his fellow Texans was 
surpassed only by his love of family, which included his wife of 53 
years, Barbara, seven children, and eight cherished grandchildren; 
and
	WHEREAS, One of the most prominent individuals in Pasadena 
public life for the past four decades, John Ray Harrison worked 
tenaciously for the betterment of his community, and the legacy he 
left behind lives on in the hearts and minds of the many people 
whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby pay tribute to the life of John Ray Harrison, Sr., and extend 
sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Barbara 
Harrison; to his sons and daughters-in-law, John Ray and Cyndi 
Harrison, Michael and Susan Harrison, Kipper Harrison, and Robert 
and Kelly Harrison; to his daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and 
Greg Upchurch, Nikki and Donald Caffey, and Nancy and Jim Farries; 
to his brothers, Ben and Don Harrison; and to his grandchildren, 
other relatives, and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory 
of John Ray Harrison, Sr.


In memory of John Ray Harrison, Sr., of Pasadena.