TITLE: In memory of Cecile Richards, former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

SUMMARY: In memory of Cecile Richards, former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The family and friends of Cecile Richards, who passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 67, may find comfort in reflecting on her remarkable life's journey; and WHEREAS, Born in Waco on July 15, 1957, Cecile Richards was the daughter of Ann Richards, who later served as the governor of Texas, and David Richards, a civil rights attorney; following in her parents' footsteps, she took up political activism while still a teenager and was disciplined by her high school for protesting the Vietnam War; after earning her degree from Brown University in 1980, she became a labor organizer; she later founded the Texas Freedom Network, a progressive grassroots organization, and served as deputy chief of staff to U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi; and WHEREAS, In 2006, Ms. Richards was appointed president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and she also served as president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund; in those roles, she became one of the leading voices in the debate over reproductive health, and throughout her 12-year tenure, she valiantly upheld the importance of the organization's services and defended the rights of the women and families that it served; and WHEREAS, After concluding her service with Planned Parenthood in 2018, Ms. Richards founded Supermajority, an organization dedicated to encouraging more women to enter politics, and published a memoir, Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead;in 2024, she was presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Joe Biden; she is survived by her husband, Kirk Adams, her children, Lily, Hannah, and Daniel, a grandchild, and her siblings, Ellen, Clark, and Dan Richards; and WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of one person's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the world as they move through it, and the exceptional contributions of Cecile Richards will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Cecile Richards and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn her passing; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Cecile Richards.