84R33910 BPG-F

By: Schofield H.R. No. 3481

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, In 1995, a group of young, civic-minded professionals in Houston founded the R Club to "provide a forum for the next generation of Houston conservatives to actively engage in local and state politics," and to serve the community "by promoting the conservative principles of personal and financial responsibility in public service"; and

WHEREAS, In order to further those goals, the R Club dedicated itself to aiding the campaigns of candidates for public office who best exemplified those goals; and

WHEREAS, The founding members of the illustrious group included a young lawyer named Greg Abbott, who would go on to serve Texas with distinction as a state district judge, as a justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, as attorney general, and as governor; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of its existence, the group also would include, and help launch the public service of, many future Texas officeholders, including Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, Representative Jim Murphy, Representative Corbin Van Arsdale, Representative Mike Schofield, 1st Court of Appeals Justice Michael Massengale, 14th Court of Appeals Justice Brett Busby, 14th Court of Appeals Justice Ken Wise, Judge Grant Dorfman, Judge Tad Halbach, Judge Brock Thomas, Judge Wesley Ward, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Leo Vasquez, Houston City Councilman and prominent radio host Michael Berry, and Sugar Land City Councilwoman Jacqueline Baly Chaumette; and

WHEREAS, From the beginning, the R Club included members who had years of hands-on experience in fund-raising, grassroots campaigning, and media relations, including serving on the staffs of presidents, governors, U.S. senators, and other prominent elected officials; and

WHEREAS, The R Club decided early in its existence to focus on races in which the efforts of its members could provide the difference between winning and losing by focusing its financial resources and the experience of its members on particular local races; and

WHEREAS, Among the first campaigns the R Club focused on was that of a candidate for the legislature named Dwayne Bohac, who would ultimately prevail and go on to serve with distinction in the Texas House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Through the success of its fund-raising events, such as those the club held for U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn and for then-attorney general Greg Abbott, the club developed a reputation for being an invaluable asset to officeholders and candidates; and

WHEREAS, The club's endorsement became a much sought-after boost to candidates' campaigns in the Houston area, and its monthly meetings became a must-attend event for conservative candidates seeking elective office; and

WHEREAS, The R Club met for most of its existence in a conference room at the offices of the law firm of Baker Botts, LLP, in One Shell Plaza in downtown Houston; and

WHEREAS, Having served its purpose of providing "a forum for the next generation of Houston conservatives" (and with its original members having grown considerably older and less able to expend the amount of time and energy they once did to support the club's efforts), the members of the R Club decided to wind down the operations of the club and held a final event on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at the Redneck Country Club in Stafford, at which the exploits and successful endeavors of the club were fondly recalled; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate the R Club for 20 years of distinguished service to the cause of conservatism in Texas, commemorate the R Club's final event, and extend sincere best wishes to every person who has been a member of the club during its storied history; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the R Club as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.