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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In 1995, a group of young, civic-minded |
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professionals in Houston founded the R Club to "provide a forum for |
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the next generation of Houston conservatives to actively engage in |
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local and state politics," and to serve the community "by promoting |
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the conservative principles of personal and financial |
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responsibility in public service"; and |
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WHEREAS, In order to further those goals, the R Club |
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dedicated itself to aiding the campaigns of candidates for public |
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office who best exemplified those goals; and |
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WHEREAS, The founding members of the illustrious group |
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included a young lawyer named Greg Abbott, who would go on to serve |
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Texas with distinction as a state district judge, as a justice of |
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the Supreme Court of Texas, as attorney general, and as governor; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of its existence, the group also |
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would include, and help launch the public service of, many future |
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Texas officeholders, including Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, |
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Representative Jim Murphy, Representative Corbin Van Arsdale, |
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Representative Mike Schofield, 1st Court of Appeals Justice Michael |
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Massengale, 14th Court of Appeals Justice Brett Busby, 14th Court |
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of Appeals Justice Ken Wise, Judge Grant Dorfman, Judge Tad |
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Halbach, Judge Brock Thomas, Judge Wesley Ward, Harris County Tax |
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Assessor-Collector Leo Vasquez, Houston City Councilman and |
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prominent radio host Michael Berry, and Sugar Land City |
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Councilwoman Jacqueline Baly Chaumette; and |
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WHEREAS, From the beginning, the R Club included members who |
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had years of hands-on experience in fund-raising, grassroots |
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campaigning, and media relations, including serving on the staffs |
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of presidents, governors, U.S. senators, and other prominent |
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elected officials; and |
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WHEREAS, The R Club decided early in its existence to focus on |
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races in which the efforts of its members could provide the |
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difference between winning and losing by focusing its financial |
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resources and the experience of its members on particular local |
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races; and |
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WHEREAS, Among the first campaigns the R Club focused on was |
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that of a candidate for the legislature named Dwayne Bohac, who |
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would ultimately prevail and go on to serve with distinction in the |
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Texas House of Representatives; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the success of its fund-raising events, such |
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as those the club held for U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and |
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John Cornyn and for then-attorney general Greg Abbott, the club |
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developed a reputation for being an invaluable asset to |
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officeholders and candidates; and |
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WHEREAS, The club's endorsement became a much sought-after |
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boost to candidates' campaigns in the Houston area, and its monthly |
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meetings became a must-attend event for conservative candidates |
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seeking elective office; and |
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WHEREAS, The R Club met for most of its existence in a |
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conference room at the offices of the law firm of Baker Botts, LLP, |
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in One Shell Plaza in downtown Houston; and |
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WHEREAS, Having served its purpose of providing "a forum for |
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the next generation of Houston conservatives" (and with its |
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original members having grown considerably older and less able to |
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expend the amount of time and energy they once did to support the |
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club's efforts), the members of the R Club decided to wind down the |
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operations of the club and held a final event on Thursday, March 26, |
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2015, at the Redneck Country Club in Stafford, at which the exploits |
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and successful endeavors of the club were fondly recalled; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the R Club for 20 years of |
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distinguished service to the cause of conservatism in Texas, |
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commemorate the R Club's final event, and extend sincere best |
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wishes to every person who has been a member of the club during its |
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storied history; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the R Club as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Schofield |
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Murphy |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 3481 was adopted by the House on May |
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31, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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