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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of a respected jurist drew to a close with |
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the passing of the Honorable Morris Lee Overstreet on March 3, 2024, |
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at the age of 73; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Amarillo on July 10, 1950, Morris Overstreet |
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was the son of West and Nora Johnson Overstreet; he distinguished |
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himself athletically at George Washington Carver High School, where |
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he played football and competed in track and field, and he went on |
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to graduate with honors from Amarillo High School; he earned a track |
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scholarship to Angelo State University, and after receiving a |
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degree in sociology, he obtained his juris doctor degree from the |
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school of law at Texas Southern University; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet began his career in public service, |
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becoming an assistant district attorney in Amarillo's |
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47th Judicial District; he transitioned to private practice from |
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1981 to 1986, and he subsequently served for four years as the |
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presiding judge for the Potter County Court; in 1990, he |
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successfully ran for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, |
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making him the first African American elected to a statewide |
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position in Texas since Reconstruction; he authored more than 500 |
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opinions during his seven years on the court; and |
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WHEREAS, Later in his career, Judge Overstreet practiced law |
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in Austin, Houston, and Galveston, as well as in Waller County; he |
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served as a judge in Waller County's Prairie View Municipal Court, |
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and he gave back to his alma mater, TSU, in his roles as director of |
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its legal clinic and as a distinguished visiting professor; |
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moreover, he joined with his cousin Brian Overstreet to operate a |
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sports management firm, USG Sports; he was a partner with the law |
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firm of Hance Scarborough, LLP, until shortly before his death, and |
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he held membership in such organizations as the State Bar of Texas, |
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the American Bar Association, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet shared a rewarding marriage with |
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his wife, Dr. Carla Ortique, and his cherished family included his |
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two children, Elizabeth and West, as well as three grandchildren, |
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Tyriece, Marrissa, and Morris; he delighted in traveling and |
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celebrating holidays with his loved ones, and he brought joy to many |
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family gatherings with his playful sense of humor; and |
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WHEREAS, Judge Morris Overstreet made an indelible impact |
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through his myriad accomplishments as a public servant, civic |
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leader, and legal authority, and he will forever be a source of |
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inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Morris |
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Lee Overstreet and extend deepest condolences to his family and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Judge |
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Morris Overstreet. |
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Raymond |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 14 was unanimously adopted by a rising |
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vote of the House on March 6, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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