79R6708 KO-D

By:  Jones of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 893



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Dallas journalist Julia Scott Reed died on 
October 19, 2004, at the age of 87, and the conclusion of her 
extraordinary life provides a fitting opportunity to reflect on her 
innumerable contributions to her field and to the African American 
community; and
	WHEREAS, The first black journalist hired full-time by a 
major Dallas newspaper and one of the first African Americans to 
work in the newsroom at a major newspaper in the South, Ms. Reed 
wrote a Dallas Morning News column, The Open Line, that was a 
much-needed voice for the black community in Dallas in the 1960s and 
1970s; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Dallas in 1917, she lived the first seven 
years of her life in the home of the white family who employed her 
mother as a maid; after moving to a black neighborhood, Ms. Reed 
reportedly walked 10 miles a day to attend Booker T. Washington High 
School and later attended Wylie Business College on a scholarship; 
and
	WHEREAS, Her passion for the written word and her interest in 
journalism led this ambitious young Texan to a job with a Kansas 
City newspaper as a Texas correspondent; she further honed her 
craft as a reporter, photographer, and later city editor for the 
weekly Dallas Express, covering such important stories as the 
assassination of President John F. Kennedy and witnessing firsthand 
the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby; she also reported on 
the pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended segregation on 
public transportation; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Reed began writing her regular Dallas Morning 
News column in 1967, and her 11 years of articles stand as an 
important record of black history in Dallas; her column was the 
first time an African American had written about activities in the 
black community, and she did much to educate her readers and to 
foster greater understanding among area citizens; and
	WHEREAS, Among the numerous honors Ms. Reed received for her 
work were two Trail Blazer awards and an Extra Mile award from the 
Business and Professional Women Dallas and a Maura Award from the 
Women's Center for advancing the roles of women; moreover, she was 
the first African American to receive Theta Sigma Phi's Matrix 
Award, given to women in communication; and
	WHEREAS, Ms. Reed was also active in her community and in 
politics, serving as an Oak Cliff precinct chair for 23 years and 
helping lead state and national campaigns for improving civil and 
women's rights; she also served on several city boards and 
commissions, including Goals for Dallas, the Mayor's Commission on 
the Status of Women, the Greater Dallas Community Council, the 
Dallas Movie Classification Board, and the War on Poverty; and
	WHEREAS, An influential role model and mentor, Julia Scott 
Reed worked across racial and gender lines and paved the way for a 
new generation of African American journalists; as someone who 
truly made a difference in the world, this remarkable Texas lady 
leaves behind a collection of writings that document the social and 
political issues of a critical time in our history as well as a 
personal legacy of strength, independence, and determination that 
will continue to inspire others for many years to come; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Julia Scott Reed and 
extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her 
daughter, Gayle Eubanks Coleman; to her two grandchildren; and to 
her other relatives and many friends and admirers across the state; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of Ms. Reed's family and that when the 
Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory 
of Julia Scott Reed.