79R17503 KO-D

By:  Brown of Kaufman                                             H.R. No. 1826



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Honorable Jack H. Holland, judge of the 173rd 
Judicial District Court of the State of Texas, is retiring on June 
8, 2005, after 36 years of exemplary service to his fellow citizens; 
and
	WHEREAS, A distinguished member of the bar since 1955, Jack 
Holland grew up in Athens and, following a year of active duty in 
the U.S. Air Force, earned his bachelor's degree at the University 
of North Texas and his law degree at The University of Texas at 
Austin; and
	WHEREAS, Returning to Athens in 1959, he spent the next 
decade practicing law with an area firm, presiding as city judge, 
and serving as county attorney; in 1969, he was appointed to the 
173rd District Court by Governor Preston Smith; the following year, 
he ran for the office in the general election and, since that 
initial victory some 35 years ago, he has run unopposed; and
	WHEREAS, Holding the record as the longest standing judge in 
his position in Henderson County history, this esteemed Texan has 
continued a family legacy of public service, which includes his 
father's career as county tax assessor and collector from the 1940s 
through the 1960s, his uncle's service as district judge, and his 
sister's tenure as county treasurer; and
	WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Judge Holland intends to 
serve as a visiting judge in district and county courts around the 
state; a member of the Athens Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, and First 
United Methodist Church, he helped found the Athens chapter of the 
Sons of the American Revolution; when not engaged by these 
volunteer activities or his judicial duties, he plans to spend time 
gardening and ballroom dancing with his wife, Jean, with whom he has 
joyfully shared the last 52 years; and
	WHEREAS, Judge Holland's tenure as a jurist has been 
characterized by diligence, integrity, and a passion for the law, 
and it is indeed appropriate to join with the residents of Athens 
and Henderson County to honor this highly respected member of the 
judiciary for his outstanding public service; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend the Honorable Jack H. Holland of the 
173rd Judicial District Court of the State of Texas on his 
exceptional career on the bench and extend to him sincere best 
wishes for an enjoyable retirement; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Judge Holland as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.