SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 387
	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