TX HCR177

D. R. "Tom" Uher of Bay City, former Texas House Speaker Pro Tempore, died on March 9, 2019, at the age of 81; the 86th Texas Legislature adopted this resolution unanimously by rising vote on May 23, 2019, to honor his memory.

Uher won a special election to the Texas House on December 16, 1967, his 30th birthday, representing Matagorda, Wharton, and Brazoria Counties; he was reelected 17 times, serving over three decades until leaving the Legislature in 2003 as Dean of the House.

He served as Speaker Pro Tempore from the 73rd through 77th Legislatures and chaired multiple committees, including State Affairs, Redistricting, and the Higher Education Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight.

Key legislative accomplishments included authoring a bill granting MD Anderson Cancer Center patients access to care without referrals and helping pass legislation exempting the expansion of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium from Capitol view corridor guidelines, enabling seating for more than 100,000.

A University of Texas graduate (BBA 1960, JD 1962), Uher practiced law in Bay City for 55 years and was active in his community as a Little League coach and Bible study teacher; he was survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Ann, and three children.