H.R. No. 226


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, DeMetris Sampson of Dallas has been selected as a recipient of a 2005 Outstanding Texan Award in the area of professional service by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus; and WHEREAS, Outstanding Texans are honored for the positive impact they make in their communities, and as the first African American woman to become a partner in a majority firm in Dallas, Ms. Sampson serves as an inspiration and an outstanding role model to many; and WHEREAS, A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Sampson went on to earn advanced law degrees there and at Southern Methodist University School of Law before embarking on her richly varied legal career, which has included work with the San Antonio City Attorney's Office, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, the Committee on Judicial Affairs for the Texas House of Representatives, and her current work in private practice as a managing partner with the Dallas office of Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP; and WHEREAS, Ms. Sampson's contributions to the community extend far beyond her professional life, and she has lent her time and talent to a number of worthwhile civic activities, serving on the board of the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and co-chairing successful bond campaigns for the City of Dallas and the Dallas Independent School District; and WHEREAS, She has also served on the advisory panel of the North Texas Future Fund and the executive committee of The University of Texas Law School Alumni Association, and has been a member of the Dallas Domestic Violence Task Force since 1987; and WHEREAS, Her extensive expertise on the law and lawmaking is much sought after by her professional peers, and she has chaired the Dallas Bar Association's Legislation Committee and the Political Congress of African American Women; a founding member of the Inn of Court, she is also a member of the Dallas Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation; and WHEREAS, Ms. Sampson is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Martin Luther King, Jr., Justice Award bestowed by the five local bar associations, the Maura Award from the Women's Center of Dallas, and The University of Texas Ex-Students Association's Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award; and WHEREAS, DeMetris Sampson has demonstrated a profound commitment to the law and to her community, and her professional achievements have produced results of lasting benefit to countless Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby honor DeMetris Sampson on her receipt of an Outstanding Texan Award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Sampson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Jones of Dallas ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 226 was adopted by the House on July 19, 2005, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House