SR 84

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 84
         WHEREAS, The retirement of James T. "Jim" Worthen as chief
  justice of the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler on December 31,
  2026, will conclude his remarkable 27-year tenure as a jurist; and
         WHEREAS, Chief Justice Worthen first joined the court in
  1999, and he became chief justice in 2003; before taking the
  bench, he practiced law in Tyler with the firms of Sammons and
  Parker and Bain, Files, Worthen and Jarrett, P.C.; and
         WHEREAS, Active in his professional community, Chief
  Justice Worthen has held the office of chair for the Council of
  Chief Justices, and he has served on the Texas Bar Journal Board
  of Editors Committee and the Law Library Committee of the Smith
  County Bar Association; he is also a member of the American Bar
  Association, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a
  Charter Fellow of the Smith County Bar Foundation; and
         WHEREAS, A seventh-generation Texan, Chief Justice Worthen
  grew up in Big Sandy; he earned his bachelor's and master's
  degrees from The University of Texas at Tyler, his juris doctor
  degree from South Texas College of Law, and his master of laws
  degree from the University of Virginia; he holds bar membership
  in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
  Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; and
         WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Chief Justice Worthen
  benefits from the love and support of his wife, Laura; and
         WHEREAS, Jim Worthen's dedication, integrity, and
  commitment to the law have greatly benefited the work of the
  Twelfth Court of Appeals, and he may indeed reflect with pride on
  his many years of service as he embarks on the next exciting
  chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate James T.
  Worthen on his retirement as chief justice of the Twelfth Court
  of Appeals and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for Chief Justice Worthen as an expression of high
  regard from the Texas Senate.
  Hughes
  ________________________________ 
      President of the Senate
      I hereby certify that the
  above Resolution was adopted by
  the Senate on September 4, 2025.
  ________________________________ 
      Secretary of the Senate
  ________________________________ 
       Member, Texas Senate