Terms of Service

• Senate, 88th ⁽⁵⁾ Legislature
  1/10/2023 - 1/14/2025
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 87th & 86th Legislatures
  1/8/2019 - 1/10/2023
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 85th & 84th Legislatures
  1/13/2015 - 1/8/2019
  Democrat
  Dean of the Senate.
  Dean of the Senate.
• Senate, 83rd ⁽³⁾ Legislature
  1/8/2013 - 1/13/2015
  Democrat
  Dean of the Senate.
• Senate, 82nd ⁽¹⁰⁾ Legislature
  1/11/2011 - 1/8/2013
  Democrat
  Dean of the Senate.
• Senate, 81st & 80th Legislatures
  1/9/2007 - 1/11/2011
  Democrat
  Dean of the Senate.
  Dean of the Senate.
• Senate, 79th & 78th ⁽⁶⁾ Legislatures
  1/14/2003 - 1/9/2007
  Democrat
  Dean of the Senate.
  Dean of the Senate.
• Senate, 77th ⁽⁹⁾ Legislature
  1/9/2001 - 1/14/2003
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 76th & 75th Legislatures
  1/14/1997 - 1/9/2001
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 74th ⁽²⁾ Legislature
  1/10/1995 - 1/14/1997
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 73rd ^{(1) (7)} Legislature
  1/12/1993 - 1/10/1995
  Democrat
  Senate President Pro Tempore, Ad Interim R.S., elected 5/31/1993.
• Senate, 72nd ⁽⁸⁾ Legislature
  1/8/1991 - 1/12/1993
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 71st & 70th Legislatures
  1/13/1987 - 1/8/1991
  Democrat
  
• Senate, 69th & 68th ⁽⁴⁾ Legislatures
  1/11/1983 - 1/13/1987
  Democrat
  
• House, 67th Legislature
  1/13/1981 - 1/11/1983
  Democrat
  
• House, 66th Legislature
  1/9/1979 - 1/13/1981
  Democrat
  
• House, 65th Legislature
  1/11/1977 - 1/9/1979
  Democrat
  
• House, 64th Legislature
  1/14/1975 - 1/11/1977
  Democrat
  
• House, 63rd Legislature
  1/9/1973 - 1/14/1975
  Democrat
  

(1) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal .
(2) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal .
(3) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal .
(4) 68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 4-year term (also see message from President, p. 467). Senate Journal .
(5) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal .
(6) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal .
(7) Due to redistricting litigation, entire Senate went up for reelection in 1994. See also Clips database, 4/6/1993 - 4/8/1993, Redistricting - Legislature; and Guide to 2001 Redistricting - Appendix A, 1990s Redistricting (Texas Legislative Council). Terrazas v. Slagle, 821 F.Supp. 1162 (April 5, 1993) 1993.
(8) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1992 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators .
(9) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2002 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators .
(10) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2012 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators .

Biographical Notes and Resources

Resolutions and Journal entries

• 72nd Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 262. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary .
• 69th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 8. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary .
• 83rd Legislature, R.S., SR 9, recognizing Senator John Whitmire, Dean of the Texas Senate, for his 40 years of outstanding service in the Texas Legislature. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary .
• 67th Legislature, 2nd C.S., HR 63. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary .

Photographs

• Photograph. John Whitmire, Texas Senate
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John H. Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. John Whitmire, Texas Senate
• Photograph. John Whitmire, State Preservation Board

Other Resources

• "The Correctionists," November 2010. Profile of Representative Jerry Madden and Senator John Whitmire, both named 2010 Public Officials of the Year by Governing magazine for their work in corrections reform; interviews. Governing .
• Biographical sketch, photos, program. Senator John Whitmire, November 19, 1994, G750 94-11. Governor for a Day .
• Whitmire is "the longest-serving state senator in Texas and the nation." "State Senator Calls for Inquiry Into Judge in Sex Offender Case," 1/1/2015. Houston Chronicle .
• Delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention, 1974. Record of Proceedings, Texas Constitutional Convention: Official Journals, January 8 - July 30, 1974 1975.
• Legislative profile, 74th Legislature, 1995. "Scenes From the 74th: The Laney-Bush Session," 6/16/1995. Texas Observer .
• Biographical sketch, 82nd Legislature. Texas Senate .
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 68th Legislature 1983.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 69th Legislature 1985.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 70th Legislature 1987.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 71st Legislature 1989.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 72nd Legislature 1991.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 77th Legislative Session 2001.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 73rd Legislature 1993.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 74th Legislature 1995.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 75th Legislature 1997.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 76th Legislative Session 1999.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 78th Legislative Session 2003.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 79th Legislative Session 2005.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 80th Legislative Session 2007.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 81st Legislative Session 2009.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 82nd Legislative Session 2011.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 83rd Legislative Session 2013.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 84th Legislature 2015.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 85th Legislature 2017.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 86th Legislature 2019.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 87th Legislature 2021.
• Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 88th Legislature 2023.

Committee Information

• 88th R.S. - 2023
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Finance  
• 87th R.S. - 2021
• Business and Commerce  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Finance  
• Future of College Sports in Texas, Select  
• Redistricting, Special  
• 86th R.S. - 2019
• Business and Commerce  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Finance  
• Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Select  
• Redistricting, Select  
• 85th R.S. - 2017
• Business and Commerce  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select  
• Finance  
• Violence in Schools & School Security, Select  
• 84th R.S. - 2015
• Business and Commerce  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select  
• Finance  
• Government Facilities, Select  
• 83rd R.S. - 2013
• Administration  
• Business and Commerce  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select  
• Finance  
• Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters  
• Human Trafficking  
• Texas Lottery and Texas Lottery Commission  
• 82nd R.S. - 2011
• Administration  
• Business and Commerce  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Finance  
• Finance Subcommittee on Articles VI and VII  
• Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid  
• Finance Subcommittee on Public Safety (Chair) 
• Government Organization  
• Human Trafficking  
• 81st R.S. - 2009
• Administration  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Commitments of Individuals with Mental Retardation, Interim Select  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Criminal Justice, Oversight (Chair) 
• Finance  
• Government Organization  
• 80th R.S. - 2007
• Administration  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Criminal Justice, Oversight  
• Finance  
• Finance Subcommittee on General Government Issues  
• Government Organization  
• Operation and Management of the Texas Youth Commission, Select (Co-Chair) 
• 79th R.S. - 2005
• Administration  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Finance  
• Government Organization  
• 78th R.S. - 2003
• Administration  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight  
• Finance  
• Government Organization  
• 77th R.S. - 2001
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Justice (Vice Chair) 
• Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight  
• Electronic Government, Legislative Oversight  
• Finance  
• Higher Education Excellence Funding, Interim  
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• State Employee Compensation and Benefits, Special  
• 76th R.S. - 1999
• Administration  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Criminal Justice  
• Economic Development  
• Economic Development Subcommittee on Technology and Business Growth  
• Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight  
• 75th R.S. - 1997
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Criminal Justice, Interim (Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Legislative and Congressional Redistricting, Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Public Information, Interim  
• Sex Offenders, Interim  
• State Affairs  
• State Affairs, Interim  
• 74th R.S. - 1995
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Emissions and Clean Air, Special (Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Juvenile Justice and Child Support, Interim  
• Legislative and Congressional Redistricting, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special  
• State Affairs  
• 73rd R.S. - 1993
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Comptroller Sharp's Texas Performance Review of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Interim (Co-Chair) 
• Criminal Justice (Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Nominations, Special  
• Redistricting, Ethics and Elections, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special  
• State Affairs  
• 72nd R.S. - 1991
• Administration, Special  
• Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special  
• Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Congressional Districts  
• Economic Development  
• Intergovernmental Relations (Chair) 
• State Affairs  
• 71st R.S. - 1989
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Creation and Expansion of Minority and Women-Owned Business Ownership Opportunities, Special Advisory  
• Economic Development  
• Health and Human Services  
• Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair) 
• 70th R.S. - 1987
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Future of Long Term Health Care, Special Task Force  
• Health and Human Services  
• Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) 
• Implementation of the Agricultural Hazard Communication Act  
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair) 
• Natural Resources  
• Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water  
• Workfare, Special, Interim  
• 69th R.S. - 1985
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Department of Human Services Audits  
• Health and Human Resources  
• Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Elder Abuse  
• Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Vice Chair) 
• Jurisprudence  
• Natural Resources  
• Urban Issues, Special  
• 68th R.S. - 1983
• Administration  
• Committee of the Whole Senate  
• Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Educational Quality  
• Fire Protection Standards  
• Health and Human Resources  
• Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair) 
• Human Resources  
• Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair) 
• Hunger and Nutrition, Interim  
• Intergovernmental Relations  
• 67th R.S. - 1981
• Financial Institutions  
• Financial Institutions Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight  
• Judiciary  
• Ways and Means  
• Ways and Means Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight  
• 66th R.S. - 1979
• Criminal Jurisprudence  
• Judicial Affairs  
• 65th R.S. - 1977
• Intergovernmental Affairs (Vice Chair) 
• Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriative Matters  
• Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Local Government  
• Judicial Affairs  
• 64th R.S. - 1975
• Appropriations  
• Business and Industry (Vice Chair - Appropriative Matters) 
• 63rd R.S. - 1973
• Appropriations  
• Citizens' Conference on State Legislatures, Steering, Special (Operations of the House)  
• Human Resources  
• Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Welfare  
• Labor  
• Labor Subcommittee on Occupational and Industrial Safety