TITLE: In memory of Judge Zinetta Arceneaux Burney of Houston.

SUMMARY: In memory of Judge Zinetta Arceneaux Burney of Houston.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable Zinetta Arceneaux Burney of Houston passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 83, leaving her loved ones to reflect on her remarkable life and achievements; and WHEREAS, A Houston native, the former Zinetta Arceneaux was born on February 24, 1941, to John and Thelma Arceneaux; although she left high school to raise her daughter, Sharon Maria Burney, she later earned her GED and completed training to begin her career as a licensed vocational nurse; in 1968, she received a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Texas Southern University, and she went on to graduate from TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law on her way to becoming an attorney; and WHEREAS, Alongside four other women, Ms. Burney founded the first African American female-led law practice in the country, known as the "Sisters in Law," which served the Acres Homes community; she took on cases even when her clients were unable to pay, and her generosity extended to helping others in the neighborhood with groceries and other necessities; she later became the senior partner of the law firm of Burney & Foreman, and in 2004, she was elected presiding judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 7, Place 2; she served in that capacity for a decade and a half until she had the satisfaction of seeing her daughter succeed her in her long-held position in 2019; and WHEREAS, Active in her professional community, Judge Burney belonged to the Houston Lawyers Association, the Gulf Coast Black Women Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Houston and National Bar Associations, among others; in addition, she was appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the University of Houston System Board of Regents; she benefited her fellow residents through her work as a board member for the Third Ward Redevelopment Council and the Greater Houston Women's Foundation, as chair of the board of commissions for the Houston Housing Authority, and as a member of such local organizations as the Houston Area Urban League; throughout her life, she was recognized for her accomplishments by the City of Houston, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and numerous other groups; and WHEREAS, Zinetta Burney was a pioneering legal professional and a true pillar of her community, and although she will be greatly missed, she leaves behind a legacy that will long be treasured by all who held her dear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Zinetta Arceneaux Burney and extend deepest sympathy to her family and friends; 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 Zinetta Burney. Jones of Harris Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 275 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House