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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Judge Herman Paul Pressler III of Houston, a former |
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state representative, state district court judge, and appellate |
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court justice, has commendably served his fellow citizens |
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throughout his career in public office; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Houston in 1930, Paul Pressler graduated |
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from high school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and |
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went on to attend Princeton University; on graduating cum laude in |
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1952, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy; and |
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WHEREAS, He pursued a degree in law and in 1957 was awarded |
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his juris doctorate from The University of Texas; while a student, |
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he successfully ran for a seat in the Texas Legislature, |
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representing the whole of Harris County; during his term of office, |
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he worked to develop policy on such diverse issues as banks, |
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industrial safety, insurance, corporations, and public land |
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management; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1958, Mr. Pressler was hired by the Houston-based |
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law firm of Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he practiced for more than a |
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decade before being named judge of the 133rd State District Court by |
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Governor Preston Smith; his well-earned standing with the public |
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saw him through several reelections, and in 1978, Governor Dolph |
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Briscoe appointed him to the court of appeals; he retired as justice |
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of the Fourteenth Appellate District in 1992, after completing his |
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third term, and then worked as a partner in the firm of Woodfill & |
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Pressler for nearly two decades; he also served as a Texas delegate |
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to the electoral college in 2008; and |
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WHEREAS, A man of faith, Judge Pressler has been first vice |
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president, vice chair of the executive committee, and a member of |
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the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention; |
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other groups that have benefited from his leadership and insight |
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are the Liberty Institute, Coalitions for America, the Council for |
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National Policy, and International Students, Inc.; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan's engagement in civic affairs |
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has won him numerous accolades, including the Faith in God Medal of |
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Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ronald |
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Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council for National |
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Policy, and the Republican Pioneer Award from the Harris County |
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Republican Party; moreover, he is the namesake and inaugural |
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recipient of the Paul Pressler Distinguished Service Award, which |
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is annually conferred by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Pressler exchanged vows in 1959 with the |
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former Nancy Avery, with whom he has shared more than five decades |
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of marriage; they are the proud parents of three children, Jean, |
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Anne, and Paul, and have been delighted to welcome into their family |
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seven grandchildren; he has been active in the congregation of |
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Second Baptist Church in Houston, which he has served as a deacon; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Guided by steadfast principles and an earnest |
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dedication to his work, Judge Paul Pressler has made contributions |
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to his state and nation that will continue to resonate for many |
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years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Judge Herman Paul Pressler III for his |
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outstanding public service and extend to him sincere best wishes |
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for continued happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Judge Pressler as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |