Texas House adopts ceremonial resolutions, reads permanent officers and administers oaths

The Texas House of Representatives on Feb. 6 adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions honoring people and counties, announced its list of permanent officers for the 80th Legislature and administered the official oath to those officers.

Representative Jones of Dallas introduced HR 190, a memorial resolution for Antonio Cornelius Baker, describing Baker’s work on HIV/AIDS policy and his service in federal and nonprofit roles. Representative Jones moved adoption; the resolution was adopted by voice vote. "Cornelius' dedication...will continue to find inspiration in his kind, joyful nature and fierce advocacy for the most vulnerable," Jones said.

The chamber also adopted resolutions recognizing county "days" at the Capitol: HR 135 (Howard County Day) introduced by Representative Darby; HR 177 (Hood County Day) introduced by Representative Lawson; HR 99 (San Jacinto County Day) introduced by Representative Holt; and HR 189 honoring former state representative John Raney, introduced by Representative Dyson. Each sponsor spoke briefly to introduce their resolution and each resolution was adopted after the sponsor moved adoption and the chair called for the voice vote.

The chair announced the appointment of the permanent officers of the House of Representatives for the 80th Legislature and the clerk read the list on the House floor, naming Sharon Carter (parliamentarian), Thomas G. Samuels (assistant parliamentarian), Stephen Brown (chief clerk), Mark Cervantes (assistant chief clerk), Jennifer Tigin Duran (journal clerk), Scotty Hagen (voting clerk), Mason Roberts and Alyssa Vargas (reading clerks), Cara Coffey (sergeant at arms), Brianna Wallace (assistant sergeant at arms), Alec Digilio (doorkeeper), Stacy Nicchio (committee coordinator), Damien Duarte (assistant committee coordinator), Steven De Adrianne (executive director of House Business Office), and Scott D. Seibert (assistant director of House Business Office). The officers assembled in front of the members' microphone and swore or affirmed the official oath.

Sponsor comments were ceremonial in tone, emphasizing local history, community institutions and individual service. No contested roll-call votes or substantive policy actions were recorded on these items.

Votes at a glance

• HR 190 (memorial for Antonio Cornelius Baker) — Motion to adopt moved by Representative Jones of Dallas; outcome: adopted (voice vote). Note: no roll-call tally recorded.

• HR 135 (Howard County Day) — Motion to adopt moved by Representative Darby; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

• HR 177 (Hood County Day) — Motion to adopt moved by Representative Lawson; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

• HR 99 (San Jacinto County Day) — Motion to adopt moved by Representative Holt; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

• HR 189 (honoring former Representative John Raney) — Motion to adopt moved by Representative Dyson; outcome: adopted (voice vote).

Other formal actions

• Appointment of permanent House officers — announced by the chair pursuant to House rules; list read by the clerk and officers sworn; administrative action under House rules, no separate recorded roll-call vote in the transcript.

Ending

All measures above were adopted without objection by voice vote as recorded in the Feb. 6 transcript. The House adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday; no additional substantive legislative business on these items was recorded in the transcript.