TITLE: Recognizing April 8, 2019, as Texas Women Judges' Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 8, 2019, as Texas Women Judges' Day.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize women judges from across the state and to welcome them to Austin on April 8, 2019, on the occasion of Texas Women Judges' Day at the State Capitol; and WHEREAS, Women judges in Texas have a storied history dating back to 1925, when Governor Pat Neff appointed Hortense Sparks Ward, Hattie Leah Henenberg, and Ruth Virginia Brazzil to serve as Texas Supreme Court justices for a case from which all of the existing judges on the court had recused themselves; and WHEREAS, The case involved a fraternal organization that had so many prominent members that no qualified male judges or attorneys could be found who did not have a conflict of interest; the women appointed to serve on the supreme court were all well-established attorneys, and these pioneering women formed the first court in the nation composed entirely of women; and WHEREAS, The first woman to hold a permanent position on a Texas bench was Sarah Tilghman Hughes, a highly esteemed state representative who was appointed to the 14th District Court in Dallas by Governor James Allred in 1935; Judge Hughes went on to win election to the seat for a full term and was reelected for six more terms; in 1961, she became the first woman to serve as a federal district judge in Texas; and WHEREAS, Since that time, numerous women have served with distinction on the Texas Supreme Court and on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; and WHEREAS, Today, more than 1,100 women preside over courts throughout the state; they exemplify the highest standards of judicial conduct, and their dedication to public service is truly an inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th Legislature, hereby commend the women judges of Texas for their service and their commitment to equal justice under the law and extend to them best wishes for a memorable Texas Women Judges' Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this special occasion. West, Huffman, Zaffirini Alvarado Hancock Paxton Bettencourt Hinojosa Perry Birdwell Hughes Powell Buckingham Johnson Rodr guez Campbell Kolkhorst Schwertner Creighton Lucio Seliger Fallon Men ndez Taylor Flores Miles Watson Hall Nelson Whitmire Nichols Patrick, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 8, 2019.