Bill Text: TX HR30 | 2023 | 88th Legislature 4th Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the Honorable Lee J. Rountree of Bryan.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-11-17 - Reported enrolled [HR30 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR30-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 30 | ||
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| WHEREAS, May 2, 2023, marked the 100th anniversary of the | ||
| death of Lee J. Rountree, who rendered exceptional service to | ||
| Bryan, Brazos, and Grimes Counties as a member of the Texas House of | ||
| Representatives from 1921 to 1923; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born in Hays County on July 15, 1868, Leonidas | ||
| Johnson "Lee J." Rountree was the grandson of Alabama state senator | ||
| the Reverend Samuel Johnson; at the age of 11, he went to work at his | ||
| stepfather's newspaper business, and he later took over its | ||
| operation alongside his mother; he operated and acquired several | ||
| other publications in Georgetown and Sulphur Springs over the | ||
| course of his career, and he distinguished himself further by | ||
| serving as president of the National Editorial Association and as | ||
| secretary of the Southwest Press Association; he was also president | ||
| of the Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Kyle; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Rountree served as a representative at a number | ||
| of political conventions, and he was appointed as the tax | ||
| assessor-collector for Kyle in 1890, at the age of 21; he moved to | ||
| Bryan in 1920 and purchased a controlling interest in the Bryan | ||
| Eagle, becoming the publication's managing editor; that same year, | ||
| he made a successful bid for a seat in the House of Representatives, | ||
| and he went on to run for reelection unopposed in 1922; and | ||
| WHEREAS, During his two terms of service, Representative | ||
| Rountree worked diligently for the good of his constituents; he | ||
| chaired the Conservation and Reclamation Committee and made further | ||
| contributions to committees on appropriations, taxation, and other | ||
| issues; he passed away while on the House floor on May 2, 1923, and | ||
| was buried in Bryan two days later; his widow, Frances Rountree, was | ||
| appointed to serve out his final term, and she later became the | ||
| first woman elected to represent Brazos County in the state | ||
| legislature, holding that office from 1931 to 1932; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Lee Rountree made a positive impact in the lives of | ||
| many Texans through his legislative and professional achievements, | ||
| and a century after his passing, he remains a source of great pride | ||
| to the community he faithfully served; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby commemorate the 100th | ||
| anniversary of the death of the Honorable Lee J. Rountree and pay | ||
| tribute to his life and legacy. | ||
| Schofield | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 30 was adopted by the House on | ||
| November 17, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
