Texas Senate adopts a slate of ceremonial resolutions, then proceeds to joint session
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Summary
On Feb. 26, 2025, the Texas Senate adopted multiple ceremonial resolutions honoring individuals, universities, local delegations and organizations, then recessed to join the House for a joint session on the state of the judiciary; committee appointments to escort the chief justice were announced.
The Texas Senate on Feb. 26, 2025, adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions recognizing chaplains, universities, county delegations, nonprofit organizations and other guests before proceeding to a joint session with the Texas House for the state of the judiciary address.
The resolutions honored a range of people and institutions, including a chaplain from San Antonio, the University of Houston–Downtown, the Consulate General of France in Houston, the Port of Galveston’s bicentennial, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, United Way and the American Cancer Society. Several local delegations and student groups were recognized on the Senate floor. After the recognitions the chamber paused to organize a committee to escort the chief justice to the joint session.
Most of the measures were adopted by voice or unanimous consent with no roll-call votes recorded on the Senate floor. Authors and sponsors introduced each resolution on the floor and briefly described the honorees or visiting delegations. Notable highlights included Senator Campbell’s introduction of a resolution honoring Chaplain Betsy Buehler of Community Bible Church in San Antonio; Senator Miles’ recognition of University of Houston–Downtown Day, noting the campus serves about 14,000 students and a large share are first-generation college students; and Senator Huffman’s resolution recognizing the Consulate General of France in Houston and Consul General Valérie Barbon, who attended on the floor.
Senator Middleton introduced a resolution commemorating the Port of Galveston’s 200th anniversary, noting the port was chartered in 1825. Senator Perry carried a resolution honoring Texas Tech University Health Science Center for its work in rural health care and telehealth. Senator Parker introduced a resolution recognizing United Way and the Texas Nonprofit Strong initiative and later introduced a resolution acknowledging the American Cancer Society’s work in Texas. Senator Alvarado presented a memorial resolution for Sarah Botticelli Koehler, which the Senate adopted and observed in memory.
Chamber business at the end of the morning included the secretary reading a set of gubernatorial nominations and the presiding officer announcing a committee to escort the chief justice for the joint session. Senator Zaffirini moved for the appointment of a five-member committee to accompany the chief justice; the presiding officer announced the committee membership (Senators Hughes, Flores, Johnson, Parker and Zaffirini). The Senate recessed to proceed in a group to the House for the state of the judiciary address and expected to return afterward to take up Senate Bill 26, described on the floor as the teacher pay raise bill.
Votes at a glance
- SR 139 (Campbell): Honor Chaplain Betsy Buehler — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent (no roll-call recorded). - SR 138 (Miles et al.): Recognize University of Houston–Downtown Day — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 132 (Kolkhorst): Recognize Washington County Day — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 123 (Huffman): Honor the Consulate General of France in Houston; Consul General Valérie Barbon present — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 152 (Creighton et al.): Orange and Maroon Legislative Day (UT/A&M recognition) — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 163 (Parker & Johnson): Texas Nonprofit Strong and United Way Day — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 129 (Perry): Honor Texas Tech University Health Science Center — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 161 (Middleton & Creighton): Commemorate Port of Galveston bicentennial — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 164 (Parker): American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Day — Adopted by voice/unanimous consent. - SR 165 (Alvarado): Memorial for Sarah Botticelli Koehler — Adopted; Senate adjourned in her memory as requested by the resolution.
All adoptions on the floor during this portion of the morning were made without recorded roll-call tallies; the presiding officer routinely asked, “Is there objection?” and, upon hearing none, the resolutions were adopted.
