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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize David Hall, who is retiring after 42 years of |
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exceptional service as executive director of Texas RioGrande |
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Legal Aid; and |
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WHEREAS, David Hall first joined the organization, then |
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known as Texas Rural Legal Aid, in 1970 as a board member; he |
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became the organization's executive director in 1975 and later |
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played a vital role in the merger with four other legal aid |
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associations that created Texas RioGrande Legal Aid; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, Mr. Hall has been at the |
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forefront of many of the legal battles that transformed the |
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landscape of civil rights in the Rio Grande Valley, notably in |
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the United States Supreme Court case that led to the reform of the |
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state's discriminatory practices for selecting grand juries; he |
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also led the organization's efforts to protect the rights of |
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farmworkers, including a case in which multiple state |
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restrictions on picketing were overturned; and |
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WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid |
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has gone from being a small organization with a handful of |
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attorneys defending farmworkers in South Texas to being the |
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nation's third-largest legal aid provider, with 175 civil and |
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criminal lawyers who annually provide free legal services to |
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25,000 low-income persons from all backgrounds, including |
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veterans, persons who are homeless, elderly, or disabled, those |
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facing economic or social barriers to their health, and survivors |
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of sexual assault or domestic violence; and |
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WHEREAS, David Hall has received numerous honors and |
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accolades for his work, including recognition by Texas Lawyer |
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magazine as a Legal Legend and as one of the 25 greatest Texas |
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lawyers of the past quarter century; and |
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WHEREAS, An exceptional attorney and organizer, he is |
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widely respected and admired, and his presence as executive |
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director of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid will be greatly missed; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend David Hall on his |
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commitment to providing access to equal justice under the law and |
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extend to him best wishes for continued success in all his |
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endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
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Lucio |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on July 24, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |