Bill Text: TX HR299 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Resolution 299 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: In memory of former Texas state representative John Robert Wright Jr.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-23 - Reported enrolled [HR299 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HR299-Enrolled.html



	H.R. No. 299



	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of former Texas state representative
	John Robert Wright Jr. on December 20, 2020, at the age of 92
	concluded a remarkable life of service to the Grand Prairie
	community and to the State of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Born on December 20, 1928, to John Robert Wright and
	Anne Taylor Wright, John Robert Wright Jr. was raised in Dallas with
	the companionship of his two siblings, Merton and Nell; he
	graduated from Crozier Tech High School in 1947 and from North Texas
	State College in 1951, then spent a summer playing minor league
	baseball before beginning studies at The University of Texas at
	Austin School of Law; he was admitted to the bar in 1954 and began
	his career as a lawyer in Grand Prairie; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Wright's interest in politics led him to
	successfully run for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in
	1964; over the course of three terms at the State Capitol, from 1965
	until 1971, he authored and passed a number of bills, including
	legislation related to dyslexia testing and education that was
	inspired by his nephew's efforts to cope with a learning disorder;
	moreover, he was strongly opposed to the imposition of a sales tax
	on groceries, and he was integral to securing funding and
	authorization for the development of Mountain Creek Lake Park in
	Grand Prairie; among numerous committee assignments, he served as
	chair of the Motor Traffic and Interstate Cooperation Committees,
	and during his freshman session, he was named the 1965 Public
	Servant of the Year by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Wright maintained his law practice in Grand
	Prairie for nearly 60 years before retiring in 2013; among the
	highlights of his career was his appearance before the United
	States Supreme Court in the 1970s, and he later represented clients
	in federal criminal cases with significant success; moreover, he
	served as legal counsel for multiple North Texas school districts,
	and he established the Grand Prairie ISD Education Foundation in
	1970, one of the first organizations of its kind in the state; in
	addition to being a prominent attorney, he was a 33rd degree Master
	Mason, and his interest in sports encompassed playing and coaching
	baseball and softball, spending many happy hours on the golf
	course, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks and the
	Texas Rangers; in recognition of his many civic contributions, he
	was honored by the Grand Prairie Chamber as Citizen of the Year in
	2000; and
	WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, Mr. Wright shared more
	than 40 years of marriage with Topsy Roberson Wright, and the couple
	raised two children, Martha and John; after Mrs. Wright passed away
	in 1998, he was fortunate enough to find love again with Dr. Eleanor
	Cherryholmes, whom he met at West Fork Presbyterian Church; they
	settled in Denton after marrying, and during retirement Mr. Wright
	enjoyed playing bridge, making new friends, and entertaining others
	with his gifts as a storyteller; and
	WHEREAS, John Wright will be remembered as a force for
	positive change in his community, as well as a tenacious advocate
	for the legal clients he served, and he leaves behind a legacy that
	will long be cherished by those who held him dear; now, therefore,
	be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
	Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable John
	Robert Wright Jr. and extend deepest condolences to the members of
	his family: to his wife, Dr. Eleanor Cherryholmes; to his sister,
	Nell Council; to his children, Martha Claire Wright and John Robert
	Wright III and his wife, Janet Smith; to his grandchildren, Taylor,
	Jacob, and Kathleen Post, Lauren Greil and her husband, John,
	Hilary Donadio and her husband, Dan, and Chloe Wright and her
	partner, Loch Roberts; to his great-granddaughter, Lucy Greil; and
	to his other relatives, his friends, and his former colleagues;
	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 John Robert
	Wright Jr.

	Meza

	______________________________
	Speaker of the House

	I certify that H.R. No. 299 was unanimously adopted by a
	rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021.

	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House