SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 188
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  L. Clifford Davis
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the people
  of Tarrant County in mourning the loss of the Honorable L.
  Clifford Davis, who died February 15, 2025, at the age of 100; and
 
         WHEREAS, Born October 12, 1924, and raised amidst the Great
  Depression and Jim Crow segregation in Wilton, Arkansas, L.
  Clifford Davis dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights
  and ensuring justice for all; as a young man, he moved to Little
  Rock with his older siblings to attend high school, and he went on
  to earn a bachelor's and master's degree before pursuing his
  ambition to study law; and
 
         WHEREAS, Mr. Davis was accepted to Howard University
  School of Law, but due to Howard's expense, he attended the
  University of Arkansas Law School under conditions of complete
  segregation; although he would complete his law degree at Howard
  University, he paved the way for other Black students to enter
  graduate programs in Arkansas, and he returned to his home state
  to begin his law practice; and
 
         WHEREAS, Using Brown v. Board of Education as a foundation,
  Mr. Davis fought to desegregate schools in Arkansas, and in 1954,
  he passed the Texas bar exam and became one of the few Black
  attorneys working in Fort Worth; his efforts resulted in the
  integration of the Mansfield and Fort Worth school districts; in
  1977, he organized the Fort Worth Black Bar Association; and
 
         WHEREAS, Judge Davis became the first appointed and elected
  Black district court judge in Tarrant County, which he served from
  1983 until 1988; he presided over the first drug diversion court in
  Tarrant County and spent three decades as a visiting judge in North
  Texas before returning to practice law; and
 
         WHEREAS, During his 75 years as a licensed attorney,
  Mr. Davis garnered many local, state, and national accolades for
  his contributions to his community and to the legal field,
  including the prestigious Blackstone Award from the Tarrant
  County Bar Association and an honorary doctorate of law degree
  from the University of Arkansas; a legal association and a Fort
  Worth elementary school were named in his honor; and
 
         WHEREAS, Above all, Mr. Davis found much fulfillment in his
  role as a husband to his late wife, Ethel, for more than 50 years
  and as a loving father to his daughters, Avis and Karen; he was a
  devoted member of Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church; his
  enthusiasm for mentoring lawyers and judges, providing pro bono
  services, and encouraging young people in his community to pursue
  higher education contributed to his legacy of community service and
  advancing justice; and
 
         WHEREAS, A man of integrity, courage, and generosity, L.
  Clifford Davis's extraordinary contributions to civil rights will
  long be remembered by our nation and by the people of the Lone Star
  State; his remarkable life, his outstanding achievements, and his
  dedication to serving others are a source of inspiration to many,
  and his memory will be forever treasured by his loved ones and by
  all who were privileged to share in his life; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of L. Clifford Davis; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
  Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
  memory of Judge Davis.
 
  West
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on March 4, 2025, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate