TITLE: Congratulating Judge Curt B. Henderson on his retirement as senior state district judge for the 219th Judicial District Court.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Judge Curt B. Henderson on his retirement as senior state district judge for the 219th Judicial District Court.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Honorable Curt Henderson retired as senior state district judge for the 219th Judicial District Court in October 2010, concluding a distinguished tenure in office that spanned a quarter-century; and WHEREAS, The longest-serving state jurist in Collin County history, Judge Henderson was appointed to the 219th Judicial District to complete an unexpired term in 1988; at only 35, he was one of the youngest district judges in Texas; he was later elected a total of seven times and presided over thousands of civil, family, and criminal cases, earning a reputation for diligence and integrity; and WHEREAS, Judge Henderson played a key role in the creation of the For Kids' Sake program, and he has served on the advisory board of CASA of Collin County; moreover, he has worked diligently to encourage area lawyers to provide services to low-income Texans in need of legal advice; he benefited his profession as chair of the State Bar of Texas Computer and Technology Committee and advocated powerfully for the use of technology to improve court services; and WHEREAS, In 2001, Judge Henderson received the Voice for Children Award from CASA of Collin County; his many accolades also include the Equal Justice Award from Legal Services of North Texas, the Atticus Finch Award from Collin County Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, and the Lifetime Achievement in Technology Award from the Computer and Technology Section of the State Bar of Texas; and WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan graduated from Texas A&M University and Baylor University Law School; board certified in criminal law, he served as an assistant criminal district attorney in Collin County from 1979 to 1986; Judge Henderson was then appointed as a Collin County court judge, and, in addition to his regular duties, he was designated as presiding judge in Probate Court and Mental Court; after joining the 219th Judicial District, Judge Henderson was appointed to the Collin County Bail Bond Board and served as vice chair; and WHEREAS, A fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, Judge Henderson is also a fellow of the Collin County Bench Bar Foundation and has served that organization in numerous leadership roles; since his retirement, Judge Henderson has continued to serve the judicial system as a senior district judge and a mediator and arbitrator; and WHEREAS, Judge Henderson has served the State of Texas with great skill and dedication, earning the lasting respect of all who were privileged to work with him, and his myriad good works have made a lasting, positive difference in his community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Judge Curt B. Henderson on his retirement as senior state district judge for the 219th Judicial District Court and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Judge Henderson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Madden Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1808 was adopted by the House on May 19, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House