Bill Text: TX HR89 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: In memory of former State Representative D. R. "Tom" Uher of Bay City.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-08 - Reported enrolled [HR89 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HR89-Introduced.html

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88R9596 CJM-D
By: Morrison H.R. No. 89

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a much-admired lawmaker and
a 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
attended The University of Texas, earning a bachelor's degree in
business administration in 1960 and a doctor of jurisprudence in
1962; he went on to establish his own law practice in Bay City and
continued to serve his clients for 55 years; 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, and he served as speaker pro tempore from the 73rd through
77th Legislatures; over the course of more than three decades in
office, he chaired a number of committees, among them State Affairs
and Redistricting, and he served on many others as well, such as the
Public Education, Higher Education, and Ways and Means Committees;
he was instrumental in the passage of Senate Bill 438, which
excepted the expansion of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
from the Capitol view corridor guidelines, and he also 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 "a great American," and he himself
became fondly known as "the Great American"; he left the
legislature in 2003 as the dean of the house, and he continued to
share his wisdom and experience as a mentor to his friends and
fellow elected officials; when not working, he enjoyed spending
time outdoors, coaching Little League, 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 five and a half decades with his wife, Ann Hagaman Uher,
and they were blessed with two daughters, Christi Joe and Catherine
Ann, and a son, Robert, as well as two grandsons, Christopher Joseph
and Noah Carl Uher; 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 House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable D. R.
"Tom" Uher and extend sincere condolences to the many people in
Texas and beyond whose lives he forever enriched; 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 Tom Uher.