Texas House adopts package of ceremonial resolutions; invites chief justice to joint session

The Texas House on Feb. 11, 2025, adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions honoring counties, colleges and civic groups and approved HCR 5, a concurrent resolution inviting the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas to address a joint session of the legislature on Feb. 26, 2025. HCR 5 passed by a constitutionally required record vote of 48-0.

Why it matters: Most items were ceremonial and adopted by unanimous consent with little debate, but HCR 5 required a recorded roll call under the constitution and therefore a formal tally. Several resolutions highlighted workforce and higher-education institutions whose graduates feed local labor markets — a recurring theme in lawmakers' remarks.

HCR 5 and the joint session Representative Steve Leach introduced HCR 5, which invites the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas to address a joint session on the state of the judiciary at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The clerk conducted a record vote required by the constitution; the clerk announced 48 ayes and 0 nays. The resolution sponsors noted the statutory and constitutional procedure requiring the record vote.

Resolutions adopted by unanimous consent By voice vote or unanimous consent, the House adopted the following resolutions recognizing people, institutions and local delegations at the state capitol: HR 206 (Congratulating Annette Adayobo of Southlake on her selection as Miss Texas 2024), HR 217 (Tarrant County Day), HR 175 (Texas State Technical College days), HR 214 (Bastrop County Day), HR 141 (University of Houston Day), HR 195 (Congratulating Mario K. Castillo on his investiture as chancellor of Lone Star College), HR 191 (Athens Day), HR 78 (Jacksonville Leadership Day), HR 210 (Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority Day), and HR 220 (Cuero Chamber Day). Additional recognitions and guest delegations including Texans for Vaccine Choice and members of the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association were also acknowledged on the floor.

Notable remarks and claims Representative Nuala Harris Davila, speaking for HR 175 recognizing Texas State Technical College (TSTC), said TSTC reports an "impressive 93% job placement rate for their students," a figure cited by several members as evidence of the college's workforce impact. Representative Jon Curry and others added remarks praising TSTC's partnerships with business and industry.

University of Houston delegation Representative Wally and Representative Jolanda Jones each spoke while welcoming University of Houston students, alumni and leaders for HR 141; Jones identified the university as a Tier 1 institution and listed several programs and officials in attendance.

How the House decided Except for HCR 5 — which required and received a recorded roll call of 48-0 — the resolutions were adopted by suspension of the rules and unanimous consent. Where a recorded tally was not taken, the chair asked for objections and, hearing none, declared the resolution adopted.

What’s next After the series of recognitions and the recorded vote on HCR 5, the House took announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Votes at a glance - HCR 5 (Leach): Invite the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas to address a joint session on Feb. 26, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. Record vote: 48 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - HR 206 (Capriglione): Congratulate Annette Adayobo, Miss Texas 2024. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 217 (Garren): Recognize Tarrant County Days at the State Capitol. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 175 (Harris Davila): Recognize Texas State Technical College days; speakers cited a 93% job placement rate for graduates. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 214 (Gertes): Recognize Bastrop County Day. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 141 (Wally): Recognize University of Houston Day; university officials and students were present. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 195 (Wally): Congratulate Mario K. Castillo on his investiture as chancellor of Lone Star College. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 191 (Bell): Recognize Athens Day at the State Capitol. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 78 (Harris): Recognize Jacksonville Leadership Day. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 210 (Hunter): Recognize Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority Day. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified). - HR 220 (Lauderback): Recognize Cuero Chamber Day. Adopted by unanimous consent (vote tally not specified).

Sources: Floor proceedings of the Texas House of Representatives, Feb. 11, 2025 (transcript of remarks and clerk announcements).