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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas legal community lost a true legend with |
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the death of Richard "Racehorse" Haynes of Trinity on April 28, |
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2017, at the age of 90; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Houston on April 3, 1927, Richard Michael |
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Haynes was sent as a child to live with his grandmother in San |
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Antonio during the Great Depression; she began his education before |
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he was old enough for school, teaching him the three Rs and |
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instilling in him a love of language; as a teenager, he received his |
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colorful nickname from a football coach, but he distinguished |
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himself more in boxing, becoming a welterweight champion; he joined |
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the U.S. Navy after high school and earned the Navy and Marine Corps |
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Medal for saving two wounded marines from drowning during the |
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landing at Iwo Jima; and |
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WHEREAS, Following World War II, Mr. Haynes completed his |
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bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of Houston and |
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served as a paratrooper in the Korean War before going on to |
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graduate from the University of Houston Law Center; his sharp |
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intellect, remarkable memory, and flair for drama made him a |
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formidable defense attorney, and early in his career, he prevailed |
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in 163 consecutive DWI cases, one of the longest winning streaks in |
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legal history; he achieved victories in numerous seemingly |
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impossible cases, including some 40 capital murder trials, and Time |
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magazine named him as one of the nation's best in his field; a |
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number of his high-profile cases were celebrated in books, movies, |
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a Broadway play, and even a song, but in 2009, he told an |
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interviewer that his biggest success was securing the freedom of an |
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African American man framed for thefts committed by a white |
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coworker; outside the courtroom, he was affable and engaging, and |
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he was a mentor as well as a role model to many younger lawyers; he |
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continued to practice law well into his 80s, when his health began |
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to decline; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Haynes was devoted to his family, and he shared a |
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fulfilling marriage of 63 years with his wife, Naomi Haynes, before |
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her death; he was the proud father of Reginald "Slade" Haynes, Jason |
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"Blake" Haynes, Ricki Cheryl Haynes, and the late Trayce Alexander, |
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grandfather of Damon "Dusty" Haynes, Dillon McGilberry, Robyn |
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Alexander, Kristyn Alexander, Parker Haynes, Justin O'Cain, |
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Sterling Haynes, and Hayley Reanne Haynes, and great-grandfather of |
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Cole Haynes, Tyler Richard Haynes, Madison Haynes, Alexandra |
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McGilberry, Naomi Grace Haynes, and Tanner O'Cain; and |
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WHEREAS, Racehorse Haynes will remain a name to reckon with |
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in the history of the legal profession, and those who were |
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privileged to share in his love and friendship will forever |
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treasure their memories of his warmth, sardonic wit, and great |
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kindness; 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 Richard "Racehorse" |
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Haynes and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Richard |
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"Racehorse" Haynes. |
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Wu |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2004 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 25, 2017. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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