TITLE: In memory of Jefferson Jones "JJ" Baskin of Austin.

SUMMARY: In memory of Jefferson Jones "JJ" Baskin of Austin.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The untimely death of Jefferson Jones Baskin of Austin on March 25, 2015, at the age of 48, has brought a great loss to the family and friends of this esteemed Texan; and WHEREAS, Born to Pat and Joan Baskin in Midland on June 21, 1966, JJ Baskin completed his bachelor's degree in political science at Trinity University; he went on to earn a master's degree from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin; after starting his career in the office of Texas State Comptroller Bob Bullock, he was hired as one of the first employees in the successful attorney general campaign of Dan Morales; and WHEREAS, Mr. Baskin was primarily a Democrat, but he worked in behalf of political campaigns for public servants in either party who represented his values, and particularly his support for education; he was a director of the nonpartisan organizations Public Agenda and Texas Lyceum, and in 2013, he co-chaired the latter's first-ever conference dedicated to philanthropy; one of the state's leading experts on philanthropy, he lectured at dozens of conferences and professional events across the state and nation; he also served as an executive-on-loan to San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro's SA2020 for philanthropy as well as for education; and WHEREAS, Deeply committed to education, Mr. Baskin was employed for five years at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory; he was copresident of the PTA at Mathews Elementary School, and he was president of the Austin Public Library Foundation; through both the Austin Community Foundation and his personal nonprofit organization, Education Capital, he led the annual report and survey efforts for the Texas Education Foundation Network; he was a Trinity University Associate and a member of the Texas Exes Public Affairs Committee and the Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education; in 2011, the Texas Ex-Student Association named him the recipient of its prestigious Top Hand Award; and WHEREAS, Mr. Baskin was sustained by a strong faith; he was a lifelong Presbyterian and an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Austin, where he served as clerk of the session; for many years, he was a trustee of Mo Ranch, a Presbyterian retreat center, and he chaired its strategic planning committee; and WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Baskin shared a fulfilling relationship with his wife, Joy, and he took great pride in his sons, Ben and Judge; his warmth, wit, and kindness brought him a host of friends, and he found great satisfaction in helping to connect like-minded people; when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, his large circle of admirers established JJ's Fight Club to rally him in his valiant battle against the disease, and the group now has members in all 50 states and well over a dozen countries; 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 selfless contributions of JJ Baskin will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Jefferson Jones "JJ" Baskin and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Joy Surratt Baskin; to his sons, Ben Baskin and Judge Baskin; to his mother, Joan Ragsdale Baskin; to his sister, Becky Baskin Ferguson, and her husband, Doug; to his brothers, Bo Baskin and Steve Ragsdale Baskin and his wife, Susie; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jefferson Jones Baskin. Craddick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2035 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 21, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House