(Continued)

(Friday, July 9, 2021)

The Senate met at 9:45 a.m. and was called to order by the President.

Senator Perry offered the invocation as follows:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the God that You are. We thank You that You loved us enough in spite of ourselves and the things that we do sometimes. We also acknowledge that we're a country that's not unified as it should be in Your word and as it will be according to Your will. I just ask that You become the great unifier. Touch each one of our hearts today, and as we go through the next few weeks and discuss the topics that matter to us, as our districts and our state and our country, that we'll keep You in mind, keep Your will and the obedience to that as we debate the things of the day. We just ask that we remind each other of the ultimate picture of service that You gave us through Your son, who sacrificed it all so we could have an eternity with You, as we go throughout this week. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The following bills were introduced, read first time, and referred to the committees indicated:

SB 3 by Hughes

Relating to the social studies curriculum in public schools.

To Committee on State Affairs.

SB 9 by West

Relating to requiring public schools to provide instruction and materials and adopt policies relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and dating violence.

To Committee on Jurisprudence.

The following Message from the Supreme Court of Texas was read and was referred to the Committee on Nominations:

THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS

July 7, 2021

The Honorable Dan Patrick

Lieutenant Governor of Texas

Texas Capitol Station

Austin, Texas

Dear Lieutenant Governor Patrick:

Since adjournment of the 87th Legislature Regular Session, the Supreme Court of Texas has made the following appointments that require the advice and consent of the Senate:

To the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas

Forrest L. Huddleston of Dallas, Texas on June 11, 2021, for a term of three years to expire on June 30, 2024 (succeeding Alan E. Sims).

Hon. Jason M. Charbonnet of Fort Worth, Texas on June 11, 2021, for a term to expire on June 30, 2022, upon recommendation by the Governor pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 81.020 (filling the unexpired term of Michael E. Dokupil).

Serapio "Luis" Cavazos of Brownsville, Texas on June 11, 2021, for a term to expire on June 30, 2023, upon recommendation by the Governor pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 81.020 (filling the unexpired term of Jeffrey W. Allison).

The Supreme Court of Texas respectfully requests the consent and confirmation of the Senate for each of these interim appointments.

Sincerely,

/s/Nathan L. Hecht

Chief Justice

On motion of Senator Huffman and by unanimous consent, Senate Rule 11.10(a) and Senate Rule 11.18(a) were suspended in order that the Committee on Jurisprudence might meet and consider SB 9 tomorrow in the Betty King Committee Room.

On motion of Senator West and by unanimous consent, the remarks by Senator West regarding Joe W. Kirven were ordered reduced to writing and printed in the Senate Journal as follows:

Thank you very much, Mr. President and Members. I stand to ask that we adjourn today in memory of Texas native son by the name of Joe W. Kirven, whose life and legacy will be remembered by those who directly and indirectly benefited from his efforts as a coalition builder, a trailblazing entrepreneur who crossed political lines for the betterment of Texas. Joe Kirven passed on July 5, 2021, at the age of 90. Members, the story of Joe Willard Kirven is a story of a pioneer, the inspirational history that despite difficulties as a Black man can make a life for himself, his family, and remain true to his faith and make a difference in his community. Joe was a successful Dallas businessman and entrepreneur. As an assistant to Texas Governor Bill Clements in the late 1970s, Joe Kirven brought unprecedented access to the minority communities with his historic responsibilities never given to an African American in Texas. He was advisor to U.S. President Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter. As a young man, he worked the jobs he could as a Black man in the South, but he clearly had the ambition and drive to overcome any limits imposed. He worked as a bellhop, and while his peers went into education, Joe Kirven opted to start his own business with a mere $500. He first dipped his toe into local politics when he was appointed to the Dallas City Council and ran for the Dallas school board. He later ran for State Representative and was endorsed at that time by then-Congressman George H. W. Bush. He also served as a special assistant to Governor Clements, this was a groundbreaking appointment. He served as a voice for Black constituencies in the entire State of Texas. You can imagine his burden and also his ability to try to get things done. He also worked to steer qualified Black candidates to appointments on Texas state commissions and boards. He served on the Nixon's minority, Advisory Council for Minority Enterprise as well as other appointments. Kirven was noted as one of Dallas' first Black millionaires. Kirven continued his groundbreaking efforts in Dallas, he was the first Black member of the Board of Trustees for the prestigious Hockaday School in Dallas and served as a trustee for the University of North Texas as well. Clearly, Kirven was driven and an ambitious man. He was devoted to his family and friends and was always willing to help those who were willing to work hard. I can remember as a young boy throwing a local paper, and the paper was 25 cents, and every paper I was able to sell I was able to get 10 cents, and so he was one of those customers. I recognized way back then, I needed to keep a line of customers I could sell those papers to so I wouldn't have to just go all out and about trying to sell them, and he was one of my continuous customers. He helped countless people obtain jobs and inspired and encouraged young people to be the best that they could be. He's survived by his loving wife, Gloria; his daughter, Josette; grandsons, Gregory and Michael, and a whole host of friends and relatives. As we adjourn today, Mr. President, I solicit your prayers of comfort for the family and friends and ask that we make certain that we look and pray for the Kirven family as they transition the patriarch of their family. Thank you.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Bettencourt will be shown as Co-author of SB 6.

On motion of Senator Huffman, Senator Bettencourt will be shown as Co-author of SJR 3.

The following resolution was adopted by the Senate:

SR 2 by Hinojosa, In memory of Gary E. Bushell.

On motion of Senator Whitmire, the Senate at 10:27 a.m. adjourned, in memory of Joe W. Kirven, until 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2021.

SR 1

SR 2