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.