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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The passing of Janice Evelyn Christiansen May of |
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Austin on July 10, 2016, at the age of 93, brought a great loss to |
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the many public officials and scholars who relied on her |
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unparalleled expertise in the vast complexities of the Texas |
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Constitution; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, on May 29, 1923, |
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the former Janice Christiansen earned a bachelor's degree in music |
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and master's and doctoral degrees in political science from the |
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University of Minnesota; she married statistics professor Francis |
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Barnes May in 1956, and they shared a rewarding relationship of 50 |
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years before his death in 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. May joined the faculty of The University of |
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Texas in 1965; she served with enormous dedication as internship |
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coordinator and, as a professor of government, she taught popular |
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simulation classes on the Texas Legislature and the state |
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constitutional convention process, becoming a beloved mentor to |
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hundreds of students and inspiring many to pursue careers in state |
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politics; and |
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WHEREAS, Widely published, Dr. May was the author of the |
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comprehensive The Texas State Constitution: A Reference Guide, the |
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coauthor of two editions of a Texas Government textbook, and the |
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author or coauthor of numerous other books, chapters, and journal |
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and reference articles; she spoke frequently at conferences and |
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other events across Texas and beyond and often advised state |
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legislatures as an expert on the constitutional amendment process; |
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in the 1970s, she played a vital role in the Texas Constitutional |
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Revision Commission; she was an election observer for ABC News as |
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well; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. May also benefited her fellow citizens as a |
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member of the League of Women Voters, serving as president of her |
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local chapter and as a member of the national board; in addition, |
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she was an active member of the American Association of University |
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Women; and |
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WHEREAS, By sharing her deep knowledge of our state's |
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political evolution, Janice May made significant contributions to |
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good governance, and her scholarly legacy will continue to enhance |
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the work of others in the years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Janice Evelyn |
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Christiansen May and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn |
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her passing; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Janice C. |
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May. |