Reply #123: Here's HARRY...

[mb7588a]

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/07/17harry.html


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His dignified presence belies a fierce competitive spirit and antipathy toward government power. Indeed, Whittington defeated the city once before — 45 years ago. He won a court ruling that invalidated a 1959 bond election allowing Austin to use federal money to condemn and redevelop blighted homes. The judge found that ineligible voters had cast ballots, something Whittington had suspected.

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That early fight crystallized Whittington's libertarian beliefs and put him squarely in the Republican column at a time when Democrats ruled Texas.

Whittington worked in several Republican campaigns starting with John Tower, who replaced Lyndon B. Johnson, becoming Texas' first Republican senator since Reconstruction.

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Gov. George W. Bush pressed him into service one more time in 1999. The state's Funeral Services Commission was essentially in receivership over allegations of widespread corruption in the industry. The commission was also reeling from a dispute with Houston-based Service Corp. International, the nation's largest funeral services operator, led by Robert Waltrip, a personal friend of Bush.

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Harry M. Whittington

Born: Henderson, March 3, 1927

Education: University of Texas School of Law, 1950

Work: Solo practitioner, Austin

Public service: Texas Department of Corrections Board, 1979-85; Texas Public Finance Authority Board, 1987-1994; Texas Funeral Services Commission, 1999-present (term expires 2007); Texas Office of Patient Protection, 2004-present

Personal: Married to Mercedes Baker Whittington since 1950; four daughters, six grandchildren; member of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin