TITLE: In memory of Tamoria R. Jones and authorizing her burial in the State Cemetery.

SUMMARY: In memory of Tamoria R. Jones and authorizing her burial in the State Cemetery.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The members and staff of the Texas Legislature are mourning the loss of a widely respected figure in the Capitol community with the untimely passing of Tamoria R. Jones at the age of 35; and WHEREAS, The longtime chief of staff for State Representative Harold V. Dutton Jr., Ms. Jones had played an instrumental role in the operations of his office since 2012; she further distinguished herself as the committee clerk for the House Urban Affairs Committee during the 83rd Legislature, the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee during the 84th, 85th, 86th, and 88th Legislatures, and the Public Education Committee during the 87th Legislature; and WHEREAS, In the course of her duties, Ms. Jones not only mentored the members of Representative Dutton's staff but also provided valuable guidance to personnel in numerous other offices; moreover, her dedicated work in support of bills related to child literacy and other pivotal issues was widely admired, and her commitment to legislative service and her passion for improving the lives of Texas residents were an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to work alongside her; and WHEREAS, Ms. Jones completed her undergraduate studies at Prairie View A&M University in 2010 and went on to earn a master's degree in business administration from Texas Woman's University in 2012; she graduated with her juris doctor from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 2018; and WHEREAS, State law stipulates in Section 2165.256, Government Code, that a person specified in a concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature is eligible for burial in the State Cemetery if the State Cemetery Committee finds that the person has made a significant contribution to Texas history and, based on that finding, approves the person's burial; and WHEREAS, In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Lone Star State through more than a decade of exemplary service to the Texas House of Representatives, it is fitting that the family of Tamoria Jones be allowed to designate the State Cemetery as her final resting place; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Tamoria R. Jones and authorize her burial in the State Cemetery, provided that the application for assignment of burial space is approved by the State Cemetery Committee as required by law.