Library Association OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO LIBRARIES AWARD NOMINATION WORK FORM

Date:____December 18, 2013______

NOMINEE:

Judge Jack English Hightower (posthumous nomination; died August 3, 2013 in Austin, Texas)______Name of the nominee

Served on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (5 years); Founding president of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society; Actively involved as a volunteer with the Libraries; Supported Libraries at the state, local, and national levels through his service in the Texas State Senate, the House of Representatives, the ’s Office, and on the Texas Supreme Court Title/Library Affiliation of Nominee Daughter: Amy Hightower Brees 3009 Chatelaine Drive Austin, TX 78746______Widow: Colleen Ward Hightower Summit at Westlake Hills, Apt. 227 1034 Liberty Park Drive Austin, TX 78746-6852_ Nominee's Address

Amy: (512) 347-7137 e-mail: [email protected] Colleen: (512) 452-7327 (no e-mail)______Nominee's Phone Number/Fax/Email

NOMINATED BY:

Kathy R. Hillman______Nominator's Name

Director of Baptist Collections, Library Advancement, and the Keston Center for Religion, Politics, and Society at Baylor University Nominator's Title/Affiliation

8505 Oakdale Drive Waco, TX 76712 (Work: One Bear Place #97148 Waco, TX 76798-7148)______Nominator's Address

Cell: 254-749-5347 Office: 254-710-6684 FAX: 254-710-3116 E-mail: [email protected]______Nominator's Phone Number/Fax/Email Please read the criteria for the award as outlined in Standing Rule 9, Section C "Awards" and send detailed information using these subheads: I. Specific reason for nomination

II. Achievements/contributions related to library service

III. Other activities/information pertinent to nomination

IV. Recognitions and awards

V. Resumé (if possible)

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Use this nomination form to gather your nomination materials to cut and paste into the online nomination form available September 15 through January 15. If unable to submit online, please contact Mary Ann at the TLA office, 512-328-1518 ext. 147.

TLA Awards 3355 Bee Cave Road, Suite 401 Austin TX 78746 I. Specific reason for nomination

Judge Jack English Hightower developed a love of libraries, books, and history as a young child, asking Santa Claus for books instead of toys and making scrapbooks of presidents and his visit to the Texas Centennial as a boy. That love deepened during his school days and grew through his university and law school years while working in Baylor University campus historical library, The Texas Collection. Libraries and all they represent became a lifelong passion of Judge Hightower’s that manifested itself in his ongoing support of and involvement in libraries through personal, professional, and public service.

II. Achievements/contributions related to library service  Commissioner of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, 1999-2005 (appointed by President )

 Founder (founding president) and until his death president emeritus of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society (“nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to the collection and preservation of papers, photographs, and significant artifacts relating to the , the appellate courts, and Texas judicial history”)…From Texas Supreme Court advisory dated August 3, 2013, “His enchantment with history led him to help found the Supreme Court Historical Society in January 1990, the sesquicentennial of the first session of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas, and establish its mission to record the Court’s history. His vision drew former Chief Justices Robert Calvert, Joe Greenhill and Jack Pope to file incorporation papers. He became the Society’s first president and at his death was its president emeritus.” See: http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/hightower/hightower.pdf

 Collector of historical documents and books as he put it, “I collected to preserve. I have a desire to preserve our history.” Most of these documents, including a land grant for one of the original 300 Texas settlers and 3,000 first edition and signed books (5 of those by U.S. presidents before Abraham Lincoln), have been donated to libraries.

 Board advocate for university libraries as a trustee of Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Baylor University in Waco, and Wayland Baptist University in Plainview

 Supporter and instrumental legislator in the founding of Vernon Regional Junior College, now Vernon College

 Tireless fundraiser for libraries in general and for the Baylor University Libraries specifically through service on the Baylor University Library Board of Advocates including three terms as chair from 2002-2006; Chair of the Library Fellows Program from 2005 to 2010 (group of donors committed to giving $1,000 or more annually to the Libraries) Note: Hightower’s daughter Amy Hightower Brees has carried on the family’s involvement by becoming a member of what is now called the Baylor University Library Board of Advisors

 Documenter, preserver, and depositor in the Poage Legislative Library of his political and personal papers from his service as a Texas State Senator, U.S. Representative, First Assistant Attorney General of Texas, and the Texas Supreme Court See collection information at: http://www.baylor.edu/lib/poage/hightower/index.php?id=56644

 Student assistant under Texas historian Guy B. Harrison in Baylor University’s Texas Collection for six years as an undergraduate and law student (worked his way through school in libraries)

III. Other activities/information pertinent to nomination

The Texas Library Association acknowledged Judge Hightower’s contributions to Libraries with a brief comment in the Names in the News section of TLACast, Volume 32, Number 4: Deaths Jack English Hightower, former US and state representative, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and longtime advocate for libraries who was appointed to serve on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, died August 3.

Press Release: For Immediate Release May 13, 1999 For Information Contact Barbara Whiteleather

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES JACK E. HIGHTOWER AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Washington, DC - Yesterday the White House announced that President Clinton has named Jack E. Hightower as a member of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). The text of the White House press release is provided below.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 12, 1999

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES JACK E. HIGHTOWER AS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

The President today announced his intent to nominate Jack E. Hightower to serve as a member of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

Justice Jack E. Hightower, of Austin, Texas, is Counsel to the law firm of Hilgers and Watkins in Austin. He was first elected to the Texas Supreme Court in 1988 and served until 1996. He served as First Assistant Attorney General of Texas from1985-1987. From 1975-1984, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving on the Agriculture, Appropriations, and Government Operations Committees. Justice Hightower was a member of the from 1964-1975 where he served as President Pro Tempore. He previously served as District Attorney for the 46th Judicial District from 1955-1961, and in the Texas House of Representatives from 1952-1955. Justice Hightower received B.A. and LL.B. degrees from Baylor University and an LL.M. from the University of Law School.

The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science was established in 1970 to plan and advise governments and agencies on library and information services to meet the needs of the people of the United States through federal cooperation with state and local governments, and public and private agencies. http://www.nclis.gov/news/pressrelease/pr99/hightowr.html

IV. Recognitions and awards  Distinguished Alumnus of Baylor University (See: http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=67466)  President Pro-tempore of the Texas Senate  Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Theater named in his honor  See obituary in Section V. for additional recognitions and awards  See article “Touching History” http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=67471 or attached .pdf

V. Resumé (if possible) See obituary below:

Jack Hightower

Obituary (Published in Austin American-Statesman from August 5 to August 7, 2013)

Jack English Hightower Jack English Hightower, a small-town who devoted his life to public service at the local, state and national levels, died peacefully on August 3, 2013 in Austin, Texas of complications due to Parkinson's Syndrome. He was 86. Jack Hightower was born in Memphis, Hall County, Texas, on September 6, 1926, the son of Walter Thomas Hightower and Floy Edna English Hightower. Jack spent his early years working in the Hightower Greenhouse, the family-owned flower shop and nursery. He told many stories about delivering corsages and collecting bills on his bicycle.

After graduation from Memphis High School he attended Baylor University for a summer term. His study at Baylor was interrupted by his service in the Navy in 1944. After serving during World War II, Jack was discharged in 1946, and returned to Baylor University where he worked in the Texas Collection, a library of Texana, was surrounded by books that were his passion throughout his life. It was at Baylor where he met Colleen Ward from Tulia, who he would marry in 1950. He graduated in 1949 and went on to receive his law degree from Baylor in 1951.

Jack and Colleen moved to Vernon, Texas in 1951, where he joined the law firm of Storey, Storey and Donaghey. Shortly thereafter, there was a vacancy in the office of State Representative. He was convinced that this was his opportunity to embark on a career in public service, so he ran for and was elected as a Democrat to the Texas House of Representatives in 1952, where he served one term. He returned to Vernon and in January 1957 he was appointed District Attorney for the 46th Judicial District. He was named "Outstanding District Attorney of Texas" for 1959. He served as District Attorney until 1961. Jack and Colleen were members of the First Baptist Church of Vernon for 35 years where he served as a Deacon and taught a men's Sunday school class. He was a member of the Vernon Lions Club and Vernon Lodge #655.

In 1962 he was named to the Board of Regents of Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Eager to continue in public service, he was elected to the Texas Senate in 1965 and served for ten years. He was a delegate to the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention, which met in to nominate Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey for the Presidency. Elected as President pro Tempore of the Texas Senate, he served as Governor for a Day on April 3, 1971. During this time he was instrumental in making Vernon Regional Junior College, now Vernon College, a reality.

Jack received a Doctor of Laws Degree from Howard Payne University in 1971. From 1972 until 1981 he was a Trustee at Baylor University and in 1978 he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus. In 1972 he was elected Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. and A.M. In 1974 he was a delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention. Jack was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fourth Congress. He served in Congress for five terms, from January 1975 until January 1985. He served his district with distinction as a member of the Agriculture and Appropriations Committees and the Select Committee on Hunger. After a disappointing bid for a sixth term, Jack returned to Texas and was appointed First Assistant Attorney General of Texas, serving from 1985 until 1987. Jack's next and final elected position was as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court from1988 until 1995. While serving on the bench, Jack became the founding President of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society, of which he is the President Emeritus.

Following his retirement from the Texas Supreme Court in 1995, he was Of Counsel to the law firm of Hilgers and Watkins in Austin. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas in Dallas from 2001 until 2006 and Chairman of the Board of the Scottish Rite Education Association of Texas. Jack was a member and Deacon at First Baptist Church of Austin, where Colleen was the assistant organist. He taught the Zollie Steakley Sunday school class for many years. He served as a Trustee at Wayland Baptist University from 1991 until 2001 and received his LL.M. degree from the in 1992.

He was appointed to the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science by President William J. Clinton from 1999 until 2004. To commemorate Jack's 80th birthday, the Baylor Collections of Political Materials opened an exhibit about the life of service shared by Jack and Colleen Hightower. Jack donated his collection of over 3,000 first edition and autographed books as well as other collector's items and historical memorabilia. His personal collection included books signed by all United States Presidents from John Quincy Adams through Barack Obama. The theme of the exhibit is "The Hightowers: Integrity ~ Justice ~ Service." Jack and Colleen Hightower have been members of the Baylor library's Board of Advisors for several years and are lifetime members of the Baylor Alumni Association.

Jack was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Colleen, three daughters, Ann Hightower of Arlington, Virginia, Amy Brees and her husband, Chip, Alison Suttle, and her husband, Richard, of Austin. He was the proud grandfather of Lindley Thornburg; Drew, Reid and Audrey Brees,; and Molly and Nicoleta Suttle. He is also survived by his nieces, Pat Krueger of ; Jane Schotz of Austin; and Kate Lilly of Houston. His sister-in law, Emily Ward Hill and her husband, Jim, and nephews, Brian and Brad Hill, reside in Tulia, Texas.

Jack lived a good life, characterized by true public service, devotion to his family, and love of his church and his Lord. He will be missed. Jack will be laid to rest with a Masonic burial at the at 10 am on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. A memorial service and celebration of Jack's life will be held at First Baptist Church of Austin at 2 pm on Saturday, August 10, 2013, followed by a reception at the church. The family would like to thank the healthcare staff at the Summit at Westlake and Heart to Heart Hospice Care.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poage Legislative Library, One Bear Place #97153, Waco, Texas 76798; the Scottish Rite Hospital of Texas in Dallas, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, Texas 75219; First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity St., Austin, Texas 78701, or the Scottish Rite Dyslexia Center, 12871 North US Hwy 183, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78750.