TITLE: In memory of Donald J. Maison of Dallas.

SUMMARY: In memory of Donald J. Maison of Dallas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Texas LGBTQ community lost one of its giants with the death of civil rights attorney Donald J. Maison of Dallas on February 21, 2022, at the age of 74; and WHEREAS, The son of Donald J. Maison Sr. and Lucille Crevier Maison, Don Maison was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, on May 18, 1947; he graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington and St. Mary's University School of Law, and his passion for social justice drove his career; in the wake of raids on gay clubs, he pursued litigation that sparked change in the Dallas Police Department; he successfully sued Parkland Memorial Hospital in behalf of AIDS patients struggling to access treatment, and his victories further included a lengthy class action discrimination suit against Southwest Airlines; after becoming president and CEO of AIDS Services of Dallas in 1988, he overcame many challenges to transform the organization into a national model, which today provides housing and support services for low-income men, women, and children living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS; his remarkable tenure spanned 32 years until his retirement; and WHEREAS, Mr. Maison gave generously of his time and expertise in such leadership roles as co-chair of the National AIDS Housing Coalition, director for the Texas AIDS Network, and member of the Dallas EMA Health Services Planning Council, the National AIDS Communications Roundtable, and the Dallas Homeless Consortium; long involved in Democratic politics, he helped move the state and local party in a more progressive direction and served as a precinct chair, election judge, and member of the state executive committee; in his leisure time, he was an avid world traveler, forming many lasting friendships while exploring local cultures and availing himself of public transportation; and WHEREAS, Through his exceptional contributions, Don Maison made a profound difference in countless lives, and he will be remembered with deep admiration and affection by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Donald J. Maison and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his partner, Richmond Morris; to his sisters, Joan Maison Dopp, Lisa Maison Ceunick, and Kathleen Maison Cohen; and to his other relatives and many 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 Don Maison. Gonz lez of Dallas Davis Bryant Anch a Jones of Dallas Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 308 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 8, 2023. Chief Clerk of the House