86R26742 BPG-F
 
  By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.C.R. No. 177
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a much admired lawmaker and
  friend to many with the death of former House Speaker Pro Tempore
  D. R. "Tom" Uher of Bay City on March 9, 2019, at the age of 81; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Alfonso A. Uher and May Bittick Uher, Tom
  Uher was born in Bay City in 1937, and he grew up with the
  companionship of three siblings, Doris, LaVerne, and Myrna; he
  earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1960
  followed by earning his Doctor of Jurisprudence at The University
  of Texas in 1962; he then returned home to open his law practice;
  for 55 years, he continued to serve his clients, truly enjoying work
  both as an attorney and spending time outdoors, coaching Little
  League and in his final year of coaching in 2012, his team won the
  Little League Minors Championship, teaching Bible study at the
  First Presbyterian Church, and watching football, especially his
  beloved Longhorns; and
         WHEREAS, Representative Uher shared a rewarding marriage of
  more than 55 years with his wife, Ann Hagaman Uher, and they
  welcomed into their family two daughters, Christi Joe and Catherine
  Ann, and a son, Robert, as well as two grandsons, Christopher Joseph
  and the late Noah Carl Uher; and
         WHEREAS, In 1967, Representative Uher won a special election
  to the House on his 30th birthday, December 16; his constituents in
  Matagorda, Wharton, and Brazoria Counties would reelect him 17
  times; serving over three decades and eight Presidents, he served
  as Speaker Pro Tempore from the 73rd through 77th Legislatures, and
  upon leaving the Legislature was Dean of the House; he held numerous
  leadership roles, serving as Chair of the House Committee on State
  Affairs, Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee on Budget and
  Oversight, and Chair of the committees on Redistricting, Degree
  Plans, and Regions, Compacts, and Districts, as well as Chair of the
  Animal Health Commission; in addition, he was Vice Chair of the
  General Investigating Committee, the Public Health Committee, and
  the Select Committee on Child Pornography; he further served as a
  member of such committees as Public Education, Higher Education,
  and Ways and Means; moreover, he was instrumental in the passage of
  Senate Bill 438, exempting the expansion of Darrell K. Royal Texas
  Memorial Stadium from the Capitol view corridor guidelines; this
  pivotal legislation allowed for the expansion of the facility to
  provide seating for more than 100,000 guests; in addition, he took
  special pride in the passage of a bill he authored that granted MD
  Anderson Cancer Center patients access to care without referrals;
  and
         WHEREAS, Charming and collegial, Representative Uher earned
  the affection of all his colleagues; he commonly ended
  conversations by calling others "Great American," and he himself
  became fondly known as the "Great American"; after leaving the
  House in 2003, he continued to share his wisdom and experience as a
  mentor whether to a young person, friend or colleague, or fellow
  elected officials, both in Austin and his hometown of Bay City; and
         WHEREAS, Through his steadfast dedication to public service,
  Tom Uher made a lasting, positive impact in the lives of innumerable
  Texans, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come;
  now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable D. R. "Tom" Uher
  and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be
  it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for his family, and that when the Texas House of
  Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
  former House Speaker Pro Tempore D. R. "Tom" Uher.