March is Women’s History Month, and the theme for 2021 is “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.” Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library has an on-demand CLE recording of its 19th Amendment Centennial Symposium from last August, entitled “Votes for Texas Women,” which is available here.
Read moreCelebrating Robert W. Hainsworth
In honor of Black History Month, the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library is celebrating the life and work of Robert W. Hainsworth. At a time when segregation was prevalent in Houston, including in the county courthouse, he took a stand for equality and fought for open and equal access to the Law Library. Learn more about Mr. Hainsworth's fight for equality on our updated webpage devoted to his life's work.
Read moreHarris County Law Library Renamed to Honor Civil Rights Leader Robert W. Hainsworth
Robert W. Hainsworth, Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston, TX (February 9, 2021) — Today, Harris County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution, introduced by Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and led by Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee, to rename the Harris County Law Library in honor of Robert W. Hainsworth.
In 1951, Mr. Hainsworth filed a lawsuit challenging the “one-table rule,” which was a Law Library rule requiring African-American attorneys to use a single, designated table while working in the library. While the courts denied his call for equality, it is only fitting that the Law Library be rededicated to acknowledge the victory of his vision. Today’s Law Library is a place where everyone has a seat at any table.
“Mr. Hainsworth’s determination in the fight for equality is an inspiration for us all, especially those attorneys and self-represented litigants who so often use the Law Library,” County Attorney Menefee said. “He was a trailblazer. His work on this case and in later founding the Houston Lawyers Association shows that he was relentless.”
“I am very proud to support renaming the Harris County Law Library after Robert W. Hainsworth, especially during Black History Month,” said County Commissioner Ellis. “Hainsworth’s fight to desegregate the courthouse and law library paved the way for generations after him. It is only fitting that we would name our law library, which helps to make the legal system more accessible to all, in his honor.”
“We are planning projects with community partners to create a permanent exhibit in the library and to offer educational programs to raise awareness about Robert W Hainsworth and his work for equality in Harris County,” said Law Library Director Mariann Sears.
Today’s Law Library rededication was widely supported by local leaders and legal organizations at Commissioners Court, including the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA), the Houston Young Lawyers Association, the Houston Area Law Librarians, the Houston Bar Association (HBA), HLA president R.J. Blue, HBA president Bill Kroger, and several former HLA leaders.
About the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library
The Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library opened its doors in 1915 as the Harris County Law Library, and it has continued to serve Harris County’s legal information needs for more than a century. After becoming a part of the Office of the Harris County Attorney in 2011, the Law Library greatly expanded its technology offerings and services to the public. Visit www.harriscountylawlibrary.org for more information.
###
I Have a Dream: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King once stated, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?' ” Each year, Americans answer that question by working together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to serve their neighbors and communities. We at the Harris County Law Library are committed to serving the residents of Harris County by meeting their legal information needs and by providing open and equal access to justice for all.
Read moreRecord Number of Native Americans Elected to Congress
Democrat Sharice Davids, a member of Wisconsin’s Ho-Chunk Nation tribe, defeated four-term Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder in Kansas on Tuesday.
Democrat Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe running in New Mexico’s First Congressional District, also won her election.
Leading up to the 2020 presidential election, pollsters and demographers talked about the potential impact of the Native American vote on the outcome of the race, especially in key battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, where, three days after the election, votes are still being counted. Also discussed in the lead-up to the election was the difficulty that many Native Americans face in registering to vote and in casting their ballots. Decades of denying this population access to the polls via the systematic violation of their right to vote has led, historically, to lower voter turn-out among Native Americans. (The Library of Congress traces Native Americans’ struggle for voting rights, and the ABA documents how the Native American vote continues to be suppressed.)
Although many still don’t feel entirely welcome at the polls, and efforts to increase Native American voter participation are ongoing, the number of Native Americans elected to national political office is growing. In Tuesday’s election, more Native Americans were elected to Congress than ever before. Six candidates won their races, giving the House a record number of Native members, including Democrats in Kansas (Sharice Davids) and New Mexico (Deb Haaland), who became the first Native American women elected to Congress. This historic achievement, decades in the making, may expand paths of access to the polls for a population of voters long denied their fundamental American right, and inspire Native Americans with political aspirations to seek office in future elections.
In November, as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the Harris County Law Library, Ex Libris Juris will highlight the achievements and contributions of Native Americans throughout history. Visit often in the coming weeks to learn more!
