88R12522 AMB-D
 
  By: Dutton H.R. No. 466
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Admired attorney Jeff Blackburn died on February 7,
  2023, at the age of 65, bringing a great loss to his family, his
  friends, and the legal community; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Blackburn was born on May 1, 1957, in Amarillo;
  he earned his law degree from the University of Houston and
  subsequently began practicing law in his hometown in 1983; in 1988,
  he became board certified as a specialist in criminal law; and
         WHEREAS, Throughout his exemplary career, Mr. Blackburn
  worked tirelessly representing the poor and disadvantaged in
  criminal and civil rights cases across the State of Texas, and he
  also spearheaded a number of significant criminal justice reform
  efforts in Texas; two of his most celebrated cases were the Tulia
  Drug Bust of 1999, where he secured the pardon of 38 defendants, and
  the posthumous exoneration of Tim Cole, who had been falsely
  convicted and died in prison; in 2006, he founded the Innocence
  Project of Texas and served as its chief counsel until 2015; in
  recognition of his many accomplishments, he received a multitude of
  awards, including the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year
  award, the Frank Spurlock Award, and the Warren Burnett Award, and
  he was also honored by numerous civil rights groups, such as the
  American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the
  Advancement of Colored People, the League of United Latin American
  Citizens, and the Texas Civil Rights Project; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Blackburn eventually moved to New Mexico with
  his partner, Jessy Tyler, and while there, he created the Rio Grande
  Regional Justice Project; in his free time, he enjoyed traveling,
  reading, organic farming, listening to good music, and engaging in
  great conversation; moreover, he was a devoted father to his two
  sons, Sam and John; and
         WHEREAS, Jeff Blackburn was a powerful advocate for his
  clients and for criminal justice reform, and although he will be
  greatly missed by those he left behind, they will forever remember
  his dedication, his generosity, and his passion for life; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jeff Blackburn and
  extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
  sons, Sam and his wife, Scotney, and John; to his grandchildren,
  Archer and Oliver; to his partner, Jessy Tyler; and to the many
  others 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 Jeff
  Blackburn.