79S10998 MMS-D

By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 354



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Honorable Paul B. Ragsdale of Dallas, who served 
in the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1986, has 
rendered exceptional service to the people of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, One of the first African Americans to be elected to 
the Texas Legislature following the end of Reconstruction, a 
century before, Mr. Ragsdale represented District 110, which 
encompassed Oak Cliff/South Dallas in Dallas County; though only 28 
years old during his freshman term, he quickly became a 
knowledgeable and effective legislator, working with members 
across the political spectrum; and
	WHEREAS, Committed to advancing minority participation in 
politics and government, Mr. Ragsdale sponsored legislation 
relating to single-member districts for the boards of the Dallas 
Independent School District and the Dallas County Community College 
District; he also endeavored to establish single-member districts 
for the Dallas City Council and the creation in Dallas of justice of 
the peace and constable precincts in which minorities could be 
elected; and
	WHEREAS, During his first term, he sought to establish a 
statewide human relations commission and a strong commission to 
oversee public utilities; in addition, he began pressing state 
agencies to increase their hiring of minorities and women, and he 
won approval for the establishment of a state equal employment 
opportunity office; and
	WHEREAS, Among the achievements in which he took particular 
pride was the passage of legislation limiting the size of 
kindergarten through second-grade classes to 22 students, down from 
the earlier recommended limit of 30 children per class; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Ragsdale's committee assignments included 
public education and regions, compacts, and districts, in addition 
to the state, federal, and international relations committee, which 
he chaired; he also served as chair of the Texas Legislative Black 
Caucus; and
	WHEREAS, Following the end of the 1973 regular session, Paul 
Ragsdale became the moving force behind the East Texas Project, a 
series of lawsuits seeking the reapportionment of county 
commissioner precincts in 48 East Texas counties; he created a 
special projects committee to pursue that litigation, as well as to 
promote black business enterprise and various community causes; and
	WHEREAS, Born on January 14, 1945, Mr. Ragsdale was raised 
near Jacksonville and earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from 
The University of Texas at Austin; afterward he moved to Tarrant 
County and worked as an analyst for the Dallas Crossroads Community 
Center, now the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center, before resigning 
to run for the legislature in 1972; and
	WHEREAS, Through his legislative skill and his profound 
commitment to addressing the problems of poor and minority 
citizens, Paul Ragsdale has contributed significantly to building a 
stronger, more just society in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend the Honorable Paul 
B. Ragsdale for his outstanding legislative and civic service and 
extend to him sincere appreciation for his spirited and steadfast 
efforts over the years; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Ragsdale as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.