Dolph Briscoe Jr. (April 23, 1923 – June 27, 2010) was an American rancher and businessman from Uvalde, Texas , who was the 41st governor of Texas between 1973 and 1979. He was a member of the Democratic Party .
58-750: Dolph may refer to: People [ edit ] Given name or nickname [ edit ] Dolph Briscoe (1923–2010), Governor of Texas from 1973 to 1979 Dolph Camilli (1907–1997), American Major League Baseball player Dolph Eckstein (1902–1963), American football player Dolph Heinrichs (1883–1967), Australian rules footballer Dolph Lundgren (born 1957), Swedish actor Dolph Pulliam (born 1946), American former basketball player and television sportscaster Dolph Schayes (1928–2015), National Basketball Association Hall of Fame player and coach Dolph Sweet (1920–1985), American actor Dolph van der Scheer (1909–1966), Dutch speed skater who competed in
116-601: A gross receipts tax . Article 9 provides rules for the creation of counties ( now numbering 254 ) and for determining the location of county seats. It also includes several provisions regarding the creation of county-wide hospital districts in specified counties, as well as other miscellaneous provisions regarding airports and mental health. Article 10 contains a single section declaring that railroads are considered "public highways" and railroad carriers " common carriers ". Eight other sections were repealed in 1969. Article 11 recognizes counties as legal political subunits of
174-645: A private in the United States Army . He served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II and advanced in rank to become an officer. When Briscoe returned from military service, he returned home to Uvalde and the ranching business. He soon rekindled his interest in politics. Briscoe counted Vice President John Nance Garner , President Lyndon Baines Johnson , House Speaker Sam Rayburn , and Governor Sterling as his political mentors. Briscoe's first step into elective politics began with
232-604: A city with a population of 5,000 or fewer has only those powers granted to it by general law; Section 5 permits a city, once its population exceeds 5,000, to adopt a charter under home rule provided the charter is not inconsistent with limits placed by the Texas Constitution or general law (the city may amend to maintain home rule status even if its population subsequently falls to 5,000 or fewer). School districts may adopt home rule regardless of size, but none have chosen to do so. Article 12 contains two sections directing
290-522: A fourth term. Briscoe finished fourth in the Democratic gubernatorial primary that year. There was a runoff between the more liberal contender, Don Yarborough of Houston (no relation to U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough ), and Lieutenant Governor Preston Smith of Lubbock. Smith won the runoff and then defeated Republican Paul Eggers by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent in the November general election and
348-475: A large number of exceptions to those limitations. Two-thirds (2/3) of the elected members in either chamber constitutes a quorum to do business therein (Section 10), contrary to the provision for the United States Congress requiring only a majority (this larger requirement has resulted in occasions where a significant number of members from one political party, in an attempt to stop legislation, have in
406-607: A race for state representative in the Texas House of Representatives in 1948. He won his first election and was re-elected in 1950, 1952 and 1954 and served from 1949 to 1957. He became best known as the co-author of the Colson-Briscoe Act, which appropriated funding for the state's farm-to-market road system. In 1968, Briscoe attempted to reenter the political arena, when he joined a list of candidates seeking to replace retiring Texas Gov. John Connally , who chose not to seek
464-597: A ring name of American professional wrestler Nick Nemeth (born 1980) Fictional characters [ edit ] Dolph the Fascist Hippo , in a Danish cartoon strip and TV cartoon Dolph Starbeam , a recurring character in The Simpsons Places [ edit ] Dolph, Arkansas , an unincorporated community Dolph, Michigan Dolph, Oregon , an unincorporated community See also [ edit ] Dolf (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
522-552: A single section establishing the General Land Office (the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office is discussed under Article IV). Seven other sections were repealed in 1969. Article 15 describes the process of impeachment and lists grounds on which to impeach judges. The House of Representatives is granted the power of impeachment, while the Senate has power to try all impeachments. No person may be convicted save by
580-659: A state government fallen into disgrace as a result of the Sharpstown scandals. Briscoe's terms as governor led to a landmark events and achievements, including the most extensive ethics and financial disclosure bill in state history, passage of the Open Meetings and Open Records legislation, and strengthened laws regulating lobbyists. Briscoe also presided over the first revision of the state's penal code in one hundred years. Briscoe added $ 4 billion in new state funds for public education and higher education, increased teacher salaries by
638-523: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Dolph Briscoe Because of his re-election following an amendment to the Texas Constitution doubling the Governor's term to four years, Briscoe became both the last governor to serve a two-year term and the first to serve a four-year term. A lifelong resident of Uvalde, Briscoe was first elected to
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#1732868856272696-685: Is the "Chief Executive Officer of the State" and the "Commander in Chief of the military forces of the State, except when they are called in actual service of the United States". He is vested with power to call forth the Militia, convene the Legislature for special session in extraordinary occasions, to execute the laws of the State, and to fill up vacancies not otherwise provided for by law, if consented to by two-thirds of
754-619: The Constitution of Alabama , even with the latter being recompiled as a new document in 2022 and having obsolete, duplicative, and overtly racist provisions removed) and is also the third-most amended state constitution (only the Alabama and California constitutions have been amended more often). From 1876 to 2024 (following the 88th Legislature ), the Texas Legislature proposed 714 constitutional amendments. Of that total, 530 were approved by
812-507: The Governor's Mansion with his reelection landslide victory in 1974; fellow Democratic governors Mark White and Ann Richards lost their re-election bids respectively, in 1986 and 1994. Dolph Briscoe Jr., was born on April 23, 1923, the only child of Dolph Sr. and Georgie Briscoe in Uvalde, Texas . His father was a descendant of Texas Declaration of Independence signer Andrew Briscoe . Briscoe
870-631: The Justice of the Peace Courts. Article 6 denies voting rights to minors, felons, and people who are deemed mentally incompetent by a court (though the Legislature may make exceptions in the latter two cases). It also describes rules for elections. Qualified voters are, except in treason, felony and breach of peace, privileged from arrest when attending at the polls, going and returning therefrom. Article 7 establishes provisions for public schools , asylums, and universities. Section 1 states, "it shall be
928-616: The Texas Agriculture Commissioner is also directly elected, that is the result of Legislative action, not a Constitutional requirement.) The qualifications of the Governor of Texas is that he is at least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and had resided in the State for at least five years preceding his election. The Governor is prohibited from holding any other office, whether civil, military or corporate, during his tenure in office, nor may he practice (or receive compensation for) any profession. The Governor
986-528: The Texas Legislature in 1948 and served as a state representative from 1949 to 1957. As part of the reform movement in state politics stemming from the Sharpstown scandal , Briscoe won election as governor in 1972. During his six years as governor, Briscoe presided during a period of reform in state government as Texas's population and commerce boomed. Following his two terms as governor, Briscoe returned to
1044-588: The US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges . Section 4 gives freedom from religious tests at the public and private level, and while never invalidated by Texas legislature or overruled by the US Supreme Court, it has been argued that it makes a religious test , by requiring officeholders to "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being" and therefore would be subject to removal if it were brought to
1102-417: The 1936 Winter Olympics Surname [ edit ] Charles L. Dolph (1918–1994), American professor of mathematics Cyrus A. Dolph (1840–1914), American businessman John Henry Dolph (1835–1903), American painter Joseph N. Dolph (1835–1897), U.S. Senator from Oregon from 1883 to 1895 Stage or ring name [ edit ] Young Dolph (1985–2021), American rapper Dolph Ziggler ,
1160-611: The Governor's signature if the bill passes both chambers by a two-thirds vote, unless otherwise specified in the bill. If the bill does not pass by this majority it takes effect on the first day of the next fiscal year (in Texas, the fiscal year runs from September 1 until August 31). The largest Section within this article is Section 49 ("State Debts"), which includes 30 separate sub-sections (including two sub-sections both added in 2003 and both curiously numbered as "49-n", along with two other sub-sub-sections numbered "49-d-14"). Section 49 limits
1218-720: The Governor, being affixed with the State Seal and attested to by the Secretary of State. Under Section 16 of this article, the Lieutenant Governor automatically assumes the power of Governor if and when the Governor travels outside of the state, or is subject to impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives. Article 5 describes the composition, powers, and jurisdiction of the state's Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and District, County, and Commissioners Courts, as well as
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#17328688562721276-515: The Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center. The CMC will serve patients of southwest Texas counties (Uvalde, Real, Zavala, Edwards, Medina, Maverick, Val Verde, Dimmit and Kinney) who otherwise would have to drive to San Antonio for radiation therapy. Briscoe died on the evening of June 27, 2010 at his home in Uvalde, Texas following complications of heart and kidney failure at the age of 87. A public viewing for
1334-537: The Legislature to enact general laws for the creation of private corporations and prohibiting the creation of private corporations by special law. Four other sections were repealed in 1969, and a fifth section in 1993. Article 13 established provisions for Spanish and Mexican land titles from the Mexican War Era to please the Mexican government. This article was repealed in its entirety in 1969. Article 14 contains
1392-437: The Senate has been delivered. Article 16 contains miscellaneous provisions, including limits on interest rates, civil penalties for murder, and the punishment for bribery. Section 14 All civil officers shall reside within the State; and all district or county officers within their districts or counties, and shall keep their offices at such places as may be required by law; and failure to comply with this condition shall vacate
1450-498: The Senate. The Governor has a qualified negative on all bills passed by the Legislature, which may be overridden by two-thirds of both Houses of the Legislature by votes of the yeas and nays. Finally, the Secretary of State (who has the constitutional duty of keeping the Seal of the State) is appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. All commissions are signed by
1508-421: The State of Texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Texas and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of Texas. The current document was adopted on February 15, 1876, and is the seventh constitution in Texas history (including the Mexican constitution). The previous six were adopted in 1827 (while Texas was still part of Mexico and half of
1566-444: The State, grants certain powers to cities and counties, empowers the legislature to form school and other special districts. Texas operates under Dustin's Rule : counties and non-school special districts are not granted home rule privileges, while cities and school districts have those privileges only in the limited instances specified below. Sections 4 and 5 discuss the operation of cities based on population. Section 4 states that
1624-525: The Texas legislature adopted the 55 mph speed limit passed by congress in January 1974. Briscoe ran for a third term in 1978, but lost to then-Texas Attorney General John Luke Hill in the 1978 Democratic primary. Hill would go on to narrowly lose to Bill Clements in the general election, marking the first time the Democratic Party had lost the Texas governorship since Reconstruction. The former governor
1682-491: The US Supreme Court, as what happened with the case Silverman v. Campbell in South Carolina . Section 11 guarantees that every person detained prior to trial are bailable by sufficient sureties, save for Capital offenses, subject to specific exceptions. Article 2 provides for the separation of powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the state government, prohibiting each branch from encroaching on
1740-459: The consent of two-thirds of the Senators present, who have taken an oath or affirmation to impartially try the impeached. Judgement in impeachment cases does not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification from public office. The convicted remains subject to trial, indictment and punishment according to law. All officers while subject to impeachment charges are suspended until the verdict by
1798-523: The duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools". This issue has surfaced repeatedly in lawsuits involving the State's funding of education and the various restrictions it has placed on local school districts. This Article also discusses the creation and maintenance of the Permanent University Fund (Sections 11, 11a, and 11b) and mandates
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1856-458: The electorate, 181 were defeated, and three never made it on the ballot. Most of the amendments are due to the document's highly restrictive nature: the constitution stipulates that the State of Texas has only those powers explicitly granted to it; there is no counterpart of the federal necessary and proper clause . As with many state constitutions, it explicitly provides for the separation of powers and incorporates its bill of rights directly into
1914-524: The establishment of "a University of the first class" (Section 10) to be called The University of Texas , as well as "an Agricultural, and Mechanical department" (Section 13, today's Texas A&M University , which opened seven years prior); it also establishes Prairie View A&M University in Section 14. The University of Texas was originally created in the Constitution of 1858, and Texas A&M University
1972-564: The farmers and ranchers of the state during his tenure. This included the eradication of the screw worm on both sides of the Rio Grande . Dolph Briscoe also advocated a reduction of the state speed limit to 55 mph in the aftermath of the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo. The Texas Highway Commission voted 3-0 in favor of his recommendation on December 4, 1973. The measure was overturned in the Texas Supreme Court two days later. Briscoe, along with
2030-413: The first African American district judge. No new state taxes were passed during Briscoe's terms as governor, making him the first governor since World War II to hold the line on both new state taxes or increasing existing ones. As governor, he focused on the maintenance and efficiency of existing government agencies as opposed to the creation of new ones. As a veteran rancher, Briscoe also worked to help
2088-591: The former Texas Governor was held at the Rushing-Estes-Knowles Funeral Home chapel on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 and funeral services were held at the Saint Phillip's Episcopal Church in Uvalde on July 1, 2010 where thousands of mourners including former Governor Mark White , then-Governor Rick Perry , then-Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones , former Houston Mayor Bill White and others attended
2146-510: The highest percentage in history, and raised salaries for state employees as well. He expanded services to handicapped Texans by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation , and established the first toll-free hotline for runaway children. He appointed a larger number of women and minorities to positions in Texas state government than any previous governor, appointed the first African American members to state boards, and named
2204-409: The life of the attained (but not after). Section 34 guarantees the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, subject to wildlife conservation laws. However, the section explicitly states that it does not affect "any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights or eminent domain". Section 32, added in 2005, denies state recognition of same-sex marriage , a practice which was invalidated by
2262-504: The next biennium; no appropriation may exceed this amount (except in cases of emergency, and then only with a four-fifths vote of both chambers), and the Comptroller is required to reject and return to the Legislature any appropriation in violation of this requirement. Section 49-g (one of two such sections numbered as such, the other -- now repealed -- dealt with funding for the later-cancelled Superconducting Supercollider Project) created
2320-522: The past left the state so as to deny a quorum). A smaller number in each chamber is empowered to adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. As with the United States Constitution , either house may originate bills (Section 31), but bills to raise revenue must originate in the House of Representatives (Section 33). Section 39 allows a bill to take effect immediately upon
2378-474: The power of the Legislature to incur debt to only specific purposes as stated in the Constitution; in order to allow the Legislature to incur debt for a purpose not stated numerous amendments to this section have had to be added and voted upon by the people. In addition, Section 49a requires the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to certify the amount of available cash on hand and anticipated revenues for
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2436-623: The power of the state. The provisions of the Texas Constitution apply only against the government of Texas. However, a number of the provisions of the U.S. Constitution are held to apply to the states as well, under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While the bill of rights contains many similar rights as the United States Bill of Rights , it is considerably lengthier and more detailed and includes some provisions unique to Texas. Section 12 recognizes
2494-410: The powers of the others. Article 3 vests the legislative power of the state in the " Legislature of the State of Texas ", consisting of the state's Senate and House of Representatives . It also lists the qualifications required of senators and representatives, and regulates many details of the legislative process. The article contains many substantive limitations on the power of the legislature and
2552-540: The ranching and banking business in Uvalde. He is recognized as having been one of the leading citizens of the state and a benevolent supporter of many civic, cultural, and educational institutions in Texas and the nation. Most recently before his death the former Texas governor established the Dolph and Janey Briscoe Fund for Texas History at the University of Texas at Austin . He was the last Democratic Texan to be re-elected to
2610-585: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Dolph . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dolph&oldid=1158329103 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with given-name-holder lists Disambiguation pages with surname-holder lists Nicknames Hypocorisms Hidden categories: Short description
2668-704: The service. He was buried at the Briscoe Rio Frio Ranch Cemetery at the family ranch next to his wife. In 2011, the Garner Museum in Uvalde, part of the Briscoe Center of American History at the University of Texas at Austin, was renamed the Briscoe-Garner Museum , and the second floor converted for commemoration of Briscoe's life and career. Texas Constitution The Constitution of
2726-697: The state of Coahuila y Tejas ), 1836 (the Constitution of the Republic of Texas ), 1845 (upon admission to the United States), 1861 (at the beginning of the American Civil War ), 1866 (at the end of the American Civil War), and 1869. Texas constitutional conventions included 1861, 1866, 1868–69, and 1875. The constitution is the second-longest state constitution in the United States (exceeded only by
2784-425: The state's " Rainy Day Fund " (technically called the "Economic Stabilization Fund"). Article 4 describes the powers and duties of the Governor , Lieutenant Governor , Secretary of State , Comptroller , Commissioner of the General Land Office , and Attorney General . With the exception of the Secretary of State the above officials are directly elected in what is known as a "plural executive" system. (Although
2842-475: The subject of numerous school district financing lawsuits claiming that other Legislative restrictions on local property taxes have created a de facto statewide property tax; the Texas Supreme Court has at times ruled that the restrictions did in fact do so (and thus were unconstitutional) and at other times ruled that they did not. Texas has never had a personal income tax . In 2019, the constitution
2900-433: The text of the constitution (as Article I). The bill of rights is considerably lengthier and more detailed than the federal Bill of Rights , and includes some provisions not included in the federal Constitution. Article 1 is the Texas Constitution's bill of rights . The article originally contained 29 sections; five sections have since been added. Some of the article's provisions concern specific fundamental limitations on
2958-545: The writ of Habeas Corpus as a right and prohibits its suspension under any circumstance whatsoever. This differs slightly from the U.S. Constitution, which allows its suspension "in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public security shall require it". Section 21 prohibits corruption of blood and forfeiture of estates (including in cases of suicide), extending beyond the federal limitation ( Article III , Section 3) which applies only in cases of Treason and even permits forfeiture during
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#17328688562723016-522: Was active in many campus organizations, including the Friar Society , the Texas Cowboys , Chi Phi Fraternity , and was editor of The Cactus yearbook. While at the university, he met fellow student Betty Jane "Janey" Slaughter (1923 – 2000) of Austin. They married in 1942 and had three children. After graduation from the University of Texas in 1943 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Briscoe enlisted as
3074-574: Was also active in the philanthropic community, having given several million dollars to various Texas institutions, mostly centered in and around the San Antonio area. In 2006, he gave a sizeable gift to the Witte Museum , a local gallery which features exhibits specifically geared towards Children. In 2008 he donated $ 5 million to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in support of cardiology research and women's health. This gift
3132-403: Was amended to ban any future income tax, which has the effect of requiring a 2/3 majority of the legislature to vote to repeal the ban. Previously, the requirement to pass any future income tax was passage by a statewide referendum , which requires a simple majority vote of the legislature to add the question to a referendum. In May 2006 the Legislature replaced the existing franchise tax with
3190-453: Was created from the Morrill Act. In 1915 and 1919, Constitutional Amendments were proposed to separate the two university systems, although both failed. Article 8 places various restrictions on the ability of the Legislature and local governments to impose taxes. Most of these restrictions concern local property taxes . Section 1-e prohibits statewide property taxes. This Section has been
3248-537: Was first attracted to politics at an early age. Thanks to his father's friendship with Governor Ross Sterling , the young Briscoe traveled to Austin and the Texas Governor's Mansion in 1932. At the age of nine, Governor Sterling invited Briscoe to stay at the mansion and sleep in Sam Houston 's bed. After graduation from Uvalde High School as valedictorian , Briscoe attended the University of Texas at Austin . He
3306-709: Was made in honor of his late wife, Janey. Also, that year, he donated $ 15 million to the Center for American History, which was subsequently renamed the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and for which he served on the Advisory Council. The Briscoe Center holds the Briscoe Papers, which include his gubernatorial records as well as Briscoe family business records. In June 2008, Briscoe donated $ 1.2 million in memory of his late granddaughter, Kate Marmion, to found
3364-450: Was subsequently re-elected defeating Eggers in their 1970 rematch, 53 percent to 46 percent. Briscoe was inaugurated as the forty-first governor of Texas on January 16, 1973. During his two terms as governor, Briscoe balanced increasing demands for more state services and a rapidly growing population. As the governor elected during a period of social unrest and skepticism about the motives of elected officials, he helped restore integrity to
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