H.R. No. 106

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Residents of Tarrant County are mourning the loss of former state representative Toby Ray Goodman of Mansfield, who passed away on July 18, 2021, at the age of 72; and

WHEREAS, Born to Dobbie and Johnnie Goodman in Wichita Falls on November 2, 1948, Toby Goodman grew up with four younger siblings, Mike, DeDe, Gary, and Joe; he graduated from Texas Christian University and went on to earn his law degree at Baylor University; in 1974, he was hired as an assistant city attorney in Arlington, and three years later, he entered private practice in family law; in the course of his career, he established the firm of Goodman & Clark and taught as an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at Arlington; devoted to his profession, he served as a director of both the Arlington Bar Association and the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, and he was a Fellow and Life Member of the Texas Bar Foundation; and

WHEREAS, This dedicated public servant was first elected to the Texas House in 1990, and his tenure in the state legislature ultimately spanned 16 years, from 1991 to 2007; drawing on his professional experience, he distinguished himself as chair of the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee for four of his eight terms in office; his tireless efforts to reform the juvenile justice system led to sweeping changes that were emulated across the country, and he was instrumental in rewriting the Texas Family Code; moreover, he championed the rise of UTA as a Tier 1 institution, helping the university to attain support for development, research, and building construction; his leadership also benefited the Governor's Juvenile Justice Task Force and the Attorney General's School Violence Task Force, as well as the Tarrant County Civil Justice Task Force; known for his collegiality, intellect, and problem-solving ability, he achieved positive results through a strong work ethic and quiet determination; and

WHEREAS, After leaving office, Mr. Goodman continued to advocate for children, and he was a longtime member of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, which presented him with its 2016 Star Award; his other honors included being named Legislator of the Year five times by Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, and he also received that honor from the National Child Support Enforcement Association and the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards; in addition, he was selected as one of the state's Ten Best Legislators by Texas Monthly and as an Honorary Distinguished Alumni by UTA; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Goodman and his wife, Gloria, shared a fulfilling marriage of 38 years; he took great pride in his three children, Brian, Lauri, and Christie, and in his four grandchildren, Kaleigh, Abbie, Jordan, and Jackson; in his free time, he enjoyed cheering on the TCU football team, traveling, researching history, and telling stories, but nothing gave him more pleasure than helping others; his wonderful sense of humor and contagious laugh brightened the days of innumerable people; and

WHEREAS, Through his commitment to benefiting children and families, Toby Goodman made a lasting, positive difference in the lives of countless Texans, and although he will be deeply missed by those he left behind, his contributions will continue to resonate in the years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Toby Ray Goodman 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Toby Goodman.

Cook

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 106 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on September 2, 2021.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House