G. C. Morris (1912-1997)

Dates

• Existence: 1912 - 1997

Biography

From Texas State Cemetery: "MORRIS, G. C. (1912 ~1997) G. C. Morris, elected official and Acting Lieutenant Governor, was born in Van Alstyne, Grayson County Texas, and grew up in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas. He graduated from Wesley Junior College and received his law degree in 1943. In 1982, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law from East Texas State University. G. C. was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1934, at age 22 and served four two-year terms. In 1942, he was elected to the State Senate where he served eight years. He was elected President Pro-Tem of the Senate in 1949 and became Acting Lieutenant Governor of Texas in July 1949, when Governor Beauford Jester died. G. C. introduced and secured passage of the bill that made it possible for handicapped children to receive their public school education. He authored the Omnibus Tax Bill of 1941. He assisted in the creation of the Legislative Budget Board and Legislative Council, and as the first Chairman, initiated programs of the two agencies to provide greater efficiency in State government. During his tenure as a public servant he received numerous awards as an outstanding elected official.

In 1952, G. C. became the Chief Executive Officer of the Automotive Wholesalers of Texas. He served in that capacity until he retired in 1990. G. C. was recognized as one of the nations leading association executives. In 1961, he was named Man of the Year by the AWTAE. He served as President of the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE) in 1963 - 64. In 1965, G. C. received the Key Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an association executive in the United States. In 1968, he was awarded the Chartered Association Executive designation by ASAE. In 1974, he was selected as TSAE's Distinguished Exec of the Year and in 1980, he was honored as a Distinguished Life Member.

G. C. was a very active and loyal member of the Tarrytown United Methodist Church. For many years he served on the Administrative Board and the Staff-Parish Committee. He taught a Sunday School Class for forty years, now named the G. C. Morris Bible Class. He was also very active in community and civic affairs. In 1976, Governor Dolph Briscoe appointed him to the Board of Regents of East Texas State University where he served for six years. He was President of the Greenville Kiwanis Club and the University Area Kiwanis Club in Austin. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District.

Information taken from obituary.

Notes: #8827) Served in the House during the 44th-47th sessions. Served in the State Senate during the 48th-51st sessions. While serving as President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Morris was elevated to acting Lieutenant Governor (1949 - 1951) when Lieutenant Governor Allan Shivers succeeded Beauford Jester, who passed away in office."

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