SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 402

In Memory

of

Jack Pope

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens across the state in mourning the loss of the Honorable Jack Pope, a beloved and revered citizen who died on February 25, 2017, at the age of 103; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pope was born on April 18, 1913, in Abilene, and graduated from the Abilene public school system; in 1934, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Abilene Christian University, and in 1937, he earned a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin, where he was editor of the Texas Law Review; and

WHEREAS, While in Austin, Jack met Allene Nichols, a fellow recent graduate; they married on June 11, 1938, and they soon moved to Corpus Christi; Jack began practicing law with his uncle, W. E. Pope, but like so many patriots, he postponed his career to serve his country during World War II; he joined the United States Navy and served with distinction as a cryptologist in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, In 1964, he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court, and in 1982, Governor Bill Clements appointed him chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court; Justice Pope presided on the bench for 38 years and is among the longest-serving judges on the state's high courts; and

WHEREAS, Among his many accomplishments on the bench, Justice Pope initiated new procedures for handling grievances against attorneys, promulgated the Texas Rules of Judicial Education, wrote the first jury handbook, and sponsored the creation of the Texas State Law Library; he worked with judicial colleagues to establish an Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program, which provides civil legal services to more than 100,000 poor families across Texas, and he was also considered an expert on matters of complex water laws in Texas and the southwestern United States; and

WHEREAS, After he retired, he developed the Jack Pope Fellows Program at Abilene Christian University to provide scholarships to students interested in careers in public service; he has been honored as an Outstanding Alumnus of both Abilene Christian University and The University of Texas at Austin, and in 2010, the State Bar of Texas honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, Above all things, Jack prioritized matters of family; he shared 66 years of marriage with Allene, and he built on to their home to take care of his in-laws after Allene's father suffered a stroke; Jack was blessed with two children, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, who were a source of immense pride and joy; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pope was a highly respected member of the community, and he made immeasurable contributions to the Texas Judicial System; in 2014, the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society published Common Law Judge: Selected Writings of Chief Justice Jack Pope of Texas, a collection of essays and opinions and a biography of this truly distinguished Texan who has left behind a proud and lasting legacy in the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Jack Pope; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jack Pope.

Watson

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 9, 2017, by a rising vote.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate