Freestone County, Texas
Bios

Texas House of Representatives
Resolution #347


                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The retirement of longtime Freestone County sheriff
 1-2     J. R. "Sonny" Sessions, Jr., on December 31, 2000, has brought to a
 1-3     close a distinguished tenure and one of the longest of any sheriff
 1-4     in the State of Texas; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Born November 26, 1926, in Kirvin, Mr. Sessions is
 1-6     the son and great-grandson of Freestone County sheriffs and the
 1-7     great-great-grandson of a Limestone County sheriff; he enlisted in
 1-8     the United States Navy shortly before his 18th birthday and served
 1-9     in the Philippines, Japan, and the Pacific before receiving an
1-10     honorable discharge; and
1-11           WHEREAS, Following World War II, Mr. Sessions attended Texas
1-12     A&M University and graduated from Navarro Junior College; he was a
1-13     rancher for 15 years before being persuaded to run for sheriff in
1-14     1964; victorious in that election, he served continuously until his
1-15     retirement 36 years later; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the paid staff of the
1-17     sheriff's department has expanded to more than 20 officers and
1-18     includes deputies trained to deal with arson, child and elderly
1-19     abuse, and computer crime; Sheriff Sessions also established one of
1-20     the first reserve units in the state, along with a training center
1-21     for those wanting to obtain a peace officers license; today the
1-22     unit numbers some 30 fully licensed and trained personnel who
1-23     volunteer their time for all types of law enforcement work, in
1-24     addition to assisting at community events; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, Other innovations included the installation of a
 2-2     9-1-1 system, creation of a RUCK program for the elderly, the
 2-3     homebound, and latchkey children, and a drug education program for
 2-4     the schools; a new jail that Sheriff Sessions helped design was
 2-5     erected in the early 1970s and has consistently won certification
 2-6     from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Public and professional organizations have often
 2-8     benefited from the experience and insight of this notable Texan;
 2-9     Sheriff Sessions received an appointment from former Governor Mark
2-10     White to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards
2-11     and Education and served on the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee
2-12     for the Heart of Texas Council of Governments; he has also served
2-13     on various committees of the National Sheriffs' Association and in
2-14     many offices of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, including that
2-15     of president; and
2-16           WHEREAS, Among the accolades Sheriff Sessions has garnered
2-17     over the years have been the Tom Tellepson Award from the Sheriffs'
2-18     Association of Texas and the Masons' Golden Trowel Award; he has
2-19     given generously of his time and talent to the Freestone County
2-20     Historical Committee, Freestone County Museum Board, and the
2-21     chambers of commerce for Teague, Fairfield, and Wortham; he also
2-22     holds membership in several veterans' organizations; and    
2-23           WHEREAS, Through the years Sheriff Sessions has drawn support
2-24     and inspiration from his wife, Peggy, and sons, Hammond, Ken, and
2-25     James; today the addition of numerous grandchildren has made the
2-26     Sessions family circle a larger and even livelier clan; and
2-27           WHEREAS, A model Texas sheriff, Mr. Sessions brought to his
 3-1     work integrity, courage, and unflagging commitment, winning the
 3-2     respect and appreciation of countless colleagues and fellow
 3-3     citizens, and it is indeed a pleasure to pay special tribute to him
 3-4     at this time; now, therefore, be it
 3-5           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 3-6     Legislature hereby honor J. R. "Sonny" Sessions, Jr., on the
 3-7     occasion of his retirement as sheriff of Freestone County and
 3-8     extend to him deep appreciation for 36 years of exemplary public
 3-9     service; and, be it further
3-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-11     prepared for Sheriff Sessions as an expression of high regard by
3-12     the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                   Alexander
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 347 was adopted by the House on March
         7, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House