[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 98 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ON THE PASSING OF FORMER GOVERNOR OF TEXAS DOLPH BRISCOE, JR.

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 28, 2010

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, Uvalde, TX is a small rural town in my 
district. Uvalde is known for its plentiful trees and clear springs, 
but it best known for its two most famous residents: John Nance Garner, 
also known as Cactus Jack who was Speaker of the House from 1931-1933 
and also served as Vice President to Franklin Roosevelt and also Former 
Governor of Texas and Philanthropist Dolph Briscoe Jr.
  Last night, at the age of 87, Governor Briscoe passed away. My 
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and with the 
people of Uvalde who he loved.
  I rise today to honor his legacy. With his passing, Texas lost a 
legendary figure. He was the first Texas governor from Southwest Texas 
and one of the great philanthropists of our time.
  His generosity has preserved western art and expanded our 
institutions of higher learning. He served in the Texas Legislature 
from 1949 to 1957 and then served as Governor from 1973 to 1979. He was 
truly a champion of the public, signing into law the 1973 Texas Open 
Records Act guaranteeing the public's right to information about state 
and local government. He was also responsible for sponsoring 
legislation that gave Texas its statewide farm-to-market road system. 
And his role as president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers 
Association in the 1960s improved the agricultural industry 
immeasurably.
  I was proud to name the Uvalde Post Office after Gov. Briscoe in 2007 
for his distinguished career in public service. And today, I honor the 
memory of Gov. Briscoe for his commitment to Texans and a life as a 
dedicated public servant.

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