Bill Text: TX SR387 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Ralph Matthew Dawson.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-17 - Reported enrolled [SR387 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-SR387-Enrolled.html
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| In Memory | ||
| of | ||
| Ralph Matthew Dawson | ||
| WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and | ||
| commemorates the life of noted attorney and law professor Ralph | ||
| Matthew Dawson, who died February 17, 2015, at the age of 98; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Matt Dawson was born on March 20, 1916, to Dr. | ||
| Joseph Martin Dawson and Willie Turner Dawson; he graduated from | ||
| Waco High School in 1933 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree | ||
| and a law degree from Baylor University; and | ||
| WHEREAS, He established his first legal practice in | ||
| Longview, where he dealt with a growing number of energy industry | ||
| cases that were spawned by the East Texas oil boom; he was elected | ||
| to the Gregg County judgeship in 1942 and became at the time the | ||
| youngest person to serve on a Texas bench; and | ||
| WHEREAS, After serving in the United States Navy during | ||
| World War II, he joined a Corsicana law firm that eventually | ||
| became Dawson and Sodd; he was a trial lawyer with the firm for 35 | ||
| years and was then named the Leon Jaworski Chair in Practice and | ||
| Procedure at Baylor University Law School; and | ||
| WHEREAS, As a professor at the university, he was an | ||
| inspiration to countless young law students; he became nationally | ||
| renowned for the triumphs of his mock trial teams, which won | ||
| numerous regional titles and two national championships; a | ||
| life-size bronze statue in his likeness was placed outside the | ||
| practice court classroom to honor his achievements, and a trial | ||
| advocacy professorship was established in his name; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Dawson retired from academia in 1983 and | ||
| returned to the private practice of law; he took part in several | ||
| landmark cases, notably Pennzoil v. Texaco and the South Texas | ||
| Nuclear Project suit; his many professional honors and awards | ||
| included the Texas Bar Association's designation of Outstanding | ||
| 50-Year Lawyer and his induction as a Fellow of the American | ||
| College of Trial Lawyers; and | ||
| WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of more than 60 years, the | ||
| late Princess Louise Markham, raised five children and instilled in | ||
| them high ethical standards, a strong commitment to educational | ||
| excellence, and a philosophy of positive contribution; he was | ||
| blessed with 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and | ||
| WHEREAS, He was a man of wisdom and strength who gave | ||
| unselfishly to others and who lived his life to the fullest, and | ||
| he was respected for his incisive intellect and his fierce | ||
| competitive drive; and | ||
| WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and | ||
| grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured | ||
| forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th | ||
| Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved | ||
| family of Ralph Matthew Dawson; 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 Ralph Matthew Dawson. | ||
| Watson, Birdwell | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| President of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that the | ||
| above Resolution was adopted by | ||
| the Senate on March 17, 2015, by a | ||
| rising vote. | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
| ________________________________ | ||
| Member, Texas Senate | ||
