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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 9
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes great pride |
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in extending sincere congratulations to Senator John Whitmire, |
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Dean of the Texas Senate and one of its most respected members, on |
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his 40 years of outstanding service in the Texas Legislature; and |
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WHEREAS, Among our state's longest-serving legislators, |
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Senator Whitmire began his career in public service when he was |
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elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972; he served |
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in the House for 10 years, from the 63rd Legislature through the |
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67th Legislature; he was elected Democratic state senator for |
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District 15 in 1982 and began serving in the 68th Legislative |
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Session; he has served in 16 Senate legislatures, and as of |
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January of this year, he has been a Texas state senator for 30 |
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years; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of his exceptional career, |
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Senator Whitmire has worked with 369 legislators; he is one of |
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the six longest-serving lawmakers in Texas history, and by the |
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end of the 83rd Legislature, he will be tied for having the |
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third-longest legislative tenure; and |
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WHEREAS, A legendary political figure, Senator Whitmire |
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has served his state with distinction under seven governors, six |
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lieutenant governors, and six speakers of the House; as both a |
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representative and a senator, he has worked tirelessly on behalf |
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of his state, and as Dean of the Senate, he has provided steadfast |
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leadership and guidance and has been a role model in upholding |
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legislative standards and decorum; and |
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WHEREAS, Well known for his many accomplishments as chair |
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of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Senator Whitmire has |
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worked hard to bring about needed changes to the adult and |
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juvenile criminal justice systems and has stressed the need to be |
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tough, but smart, on crime; he is noted for spearheading reform |
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in the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, making Texas a |
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national example for criminal justice reform; he was named one of |
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Governing Magazine's 2010 Public Officials of the Year; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Whitmire also serves on the Senate |
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Government Organization Committee and the Senate Administration |
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and Senate Finance Committees; in addition to his legislative |
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service, he is a member of the Pension Review Board, which |
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oversees all public retirement systems in Texas, and of the Texas |
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Sunset Commission; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Hillsboro and a longtime Houston |
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resident, Senator Whitmire is the proud father of two daughters, |
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Whitney and Sarah, and has delighted in watching them grow up to |
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become beautiful, intelligent young women and treasured members |
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of the Senate family; and |
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WHEREAS, Senator Whitmire was admitted to the Texas State |
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Bar in 1981 and is an attorney of counsel to the law firm of Locke |
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Lord Bissell and Liddell; he was named one of Texas Monthly's |
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Best Texas Legislators in 1993, 2003, 2005, and 2011; and |
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WHEREAS, An insightful and highly effective lawmaker, |
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Senator Whitmire is respected for both his forthrightness and his |
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political expertise; during his 40-year legislative career, his |
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many accomplishments have earned him widespread admiration |
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throughout the state and the enduring esteem of his colleagues; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Senator John Whitmire for his |
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40 years of legislative service and honor him for his innumerable |
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contributions and boundless dedication to our state; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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Senator John Whitmire as an expression of highest esteem from the |
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Texas Senate. |
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Eltife |
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| Birdwell |
Hegar |
Schwertner |
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| Campbell |
Hinojosa |
Seliger |
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| Deuell |
Nelson |
Van de Putte |
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| Fraser |
Rodriguez |
Williams |
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Dewhurst, President of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on January 14, 2013. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |