78R7966 WMS-D

By:  Barrientos                                                 S.C.R. No. 18 


CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, State law (Section 2165.256, Government Code) specifies those persons eligible for burial in the State Cemetery and authorizes the legislature to grant eligibility to other persons through the adoption of a concurrent resolution; and WHEREAS, The late Steven Leslie Martin, a native Texan who passed away on March 1, 2003, served as the first chief administrative law judge of the State Office of Administrative Hearings, and in that capacity he fulfilled the monumental task of identifying and marshaling the resources, political support, and human talent needed to bring to fruition an ideal for improved justice; and WHEREAS, Mr. Martin performed an invaluable service to this state through his organization of the State Office of Administrative Hearings in 1991 and his subsequent management of the office, efforts that have substantially improved the quality and availability of justice for all Texans; and WHEREAS, This exemplary Texan was appointed by Governor Ann Richards, with the confirmation of the Texas Senate, to serve as the first chief administrative law judge in 1991, and, in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments in that post, he earned reappointment by Governor George W. Bush for a second term in 1995; and WHEREAS, A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, Mr. Martin ably served in the appointed position of assistant attorney general, and he also applied his considerable expertise and dedication as a legal advisor and counselor to the Texas Department of Banking and the Texas Department of Community Affairs; and WHEREAS, The high esteem in which Mr. Martin was held was reflected by his election as president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, and he further provided superb leadership and guidance as a director of the State Bar of Texas and as a member of its executive committee; and WHEREAS, A recognized leader in the development and progress of the practice of Texas administrative law, he authored West's Texas Forms, the first published work on the forms and practices before Texas administrative agencies; and WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Steven Leslie Martin aspired to serve his fellow citizens as a counselor, as well as an executive and legal representative of the government of the State of Texas, and his commitment and ability to meet that worthy goal was diminished only by his untimely death at the age of 46; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the burial of Steven Leslie Martin in the State Cemetery, provided the State Cemetery Committee indicates its approval as required by law; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for and sincere sympathy extended to the members of his family: to his wife, Rachael Martin; to his daughter, Erica Piedfort de Moran; to his father, Maurice Martin; to his sister, Michelle Martin; and to the other relatives and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further RESOLVED, That when the Texas House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of Steven Leslie Martin.