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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April 13, 2015, is Texas Female Judges Day at the |
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State Capitol, and this occasion provides a fitting opportunity to |
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celebrate the achievements of female judges, past and present, who |
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have served in the State of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, Women judges in Texas have a storied history dating |
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back to 1925, when Governor Pat Neff appointed three women, |
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Hortense Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Henenberg, and Ruth Virginia |
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Brazzil, to preside as Texas Supreme Court justices over a case from |
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which all of the current justices on the court had recused |
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themselves; and |
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WHEREAS, The case involved a fraternal organization that had |
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so many prominent members that no qualified male judges or |
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attorneys could be found to take their place who did not have a |
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conflict of interest; the women appointed to hear the matter were |
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all well-established attorneys, and those pioneering jurists |
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formed the first court in the nation composed entirely of women; and |
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WHEREAS, The first woman to hold a permanent position on a |
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Texas bench was Sarah Tilghman Hughes, a highly esteemed state |
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representative who was named to the 14th District Court in Dallas by |
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Governor James Allred in 1935; Judge Hughes went on to win election |
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to the seat for a full term and was returned to office for six |
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additional terms; in 1961, she earned further renown by becoming |
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the first woman to be sworn in as a federal district judge in Texas; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Since that time, numerous women have served with |
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distinction on the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal |
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Appeals; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, more than 1,000 women preside over courts |
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throughout the state; they exemplify the highest standards of |
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judicial conduct, and their dedication to public service is truly |
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an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 13, 2015, as Texas Female Judges |
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Day at the State Capitol and commend the women judges of Texas for |
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their immeasurable contributions to the Lone Star State. |