Former Texas justice, congressman Hightower dies

[TexasTowelie]

AUSTIN, Texas —

Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Jack Hightower, a Democrat who also served a decade in Congress under three different presidents, has died. He was 86.

Osler McCarthy, a spokesman for the state's high court, said Hightower died Saturday in Austin. McCarthy said Hightower had Parkinson's disease.

"Texas has lost a true champion among its public servants and the Court has lost a colleague who at his very core was what a judge should be," Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson said. "Jack Hightower had integrity, wisdom and a singular purpose: to serve the public by the rule of law."

Hightower began his political career in both the state House and Senate before being elected to Congress in 1975. He won a seat on the court in 1988, stayed until 1996 and was the state's last justice with legislative experience.

More at http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/legislative/former-texas-justice-congressman-hightower-dies/nZC58/ .

[font color=green]Note: This is not the former agricultural commissioner and progressive activist, Jim Hightower.[/font]

[niyad]

1. my heart stopped for just a moment, till I saw "jack". but still. . . .

requiescat in pacem, brave soul

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yes, that was my first reaction

which is why I included the note at the end. RIP.

[They_Live]

3. Are they related, though?

I had wondered if this was Jim Hightower's father. None of the articles that I've read mention that fact, so I am guessing not.

[TexasTowelie]

4. No.

At the end of the following article it indicates that Jack has three daughters, there is no mention of a son.

http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/legislative/former-texas-justice-congressman-hightower-dies/nZC58/

[They_Live]

5. Thanks!

I read sporadically sometimes.