Texas HR 14: Commending Jac Darsnek for preserving Texas history through his Traces of Texas online photography project.

Bill Text

89(R) HR 14 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

  

  

  
 H.R. No. 14

  

  

   

 R E S O L U T I O N

   

        WHEREAS, The life of a respected jurist drew to a close with 

  

 the passing of the Honorable Morris Lee Overstreet on March 3, 2024, 

  

 at the age of 73; and

  

        WHEREAS, Born in Amarillo on July 10, 1950, Morris Overstreet 

  

 was the son of West and Nora Johnson Overstreet; he distinguished 

  

 himself athletically at George Washington Carver High School, where 

  

 he played football and competed in track and field, and he went on 

  

 to graduate with honors from Amarillo High School; he earned a track 

  

 scholarship to Angelo State University, and after receiving a 

  

 degree in sociology, he obtained his juris doctor degree from the 

  

 school of law at Texas Southern University; and

  

        WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet began his career in public service, 

  

 becoming an assistant district attorney in Amarillo's 

  

 47th Judicial District; he transitioned to private practice from 

  

 1981 to 1986, and he subsequently served for four years as the 

  

 presiding judge for the Potter County Court; in 1990, he 

  

 successfully ran for a seat on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 

  

 making him the first African American elected to a statewide 

  

 position in Texas since Reconstruction; he authored more than 500 

  

 opinions during his seven years on the court; and

  

        WHEREAS, Later in his career, Judge Overstreet practiced law 

  

 in Austin, Houston, and Galveston, as well as in Waller County; he 

  

 served as a judge in Waller County's Prairie View Municipal Court, 

  

 and he gave back to his alma mater, TSU, in his roles as director of 

  

 its legal clinic and as a distinguished visiting professor; 

  

 moreover, he joined with his cousin Brian Overstreet to operate a 

  

 sports management firm, USG Sports; he was a partner with the law 

  

 firm of Hance Scarborough, LLP, until shortly before his death, and 

  

 he held membership in such organizations as the State Bar of Texas, 

  

 the American Bar Association, and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; and

  

        WHEREAS, Judge Overstreet shared a rewarding marriage with 

  

 his wife, Dr. Carla Ortique, and his cherished family included his 

  

 two children, Elizabeth and West, as well as three grandchildren, 

  

 Tyriece, Marrissa, and Morris; he delighted in traveling and 

  

 celebrating holidays with his loved ones, and he brought joy to many 

  

 family gatherings with his playful sense of humor; and

  

        WHEREAS, Judge Morris Overstreet made an indelible impact 

  

 through his myriad accomplishments as a public servant, civic 

  

 leader, and legal authority, and he will forever be a source of 

  

 inspiration to those he leaves behind; now, therefore, be it

  

        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas 

  

 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Morris 

  

 Lee Overstreet and extend deepest condolences to his family and 

  

 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 Judge 

   

 Morris Overstreet.

  

   

 Raymond

   

   

 ______________________________

   

 Speaker of the House     

  

   

        I certify that H.R. No. 14 was unanimously adopted by a rising 

   

 vote of the House on March 6, 2025.

   

   

 ______________________________

   

 Chief Clerk of the House