Joe Lockridge
Joseph Edwin Lockridge (July 15, 1932 – May 3, 1968) was one of the first African Americans to serve in the Texas House of Representatives since Reconstruction, representing the 33rd District in Dallas County. He was elected alongside State Senator Barbara Jordan and state representative Curtis Graves. Early life. Lockridge was born to Reverend Leroy R. Lockridge and Demover (Gregory) Lockridge on July 15, 1932, in Waco, Texas. He received a bachelor's degree from Southern University, in Baton Rouge, and a Juris Doctor from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He was in the United States Army during the  Korean War. In 1960, he was admitted to the Texas State Bar. He worked in private legal practice until 1966, when he was elected to the Texas State House. Legislative career. Lockridge was a member of the 60th Texan legislature. He received committee assignments to the Education, House State Affairs, Federal Relations, Mental Retardation and Penitentiary committees. His legislative focus was on mental health. His primary legislative accomplishment was a law that created halfway houses to aid recovering mental health patients in re-integrating into communities. By resolution, his colleagues in the legislature named him "Rookie [Freshman] of the Year