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In celebration of National Library Week last week, we invited you to participate in our second annual game of LRL Trivial Pursuit! Below are the answers found in the legislative and historical resources on our website, Pinterest site, Twitter feed, blog, and even one in the Library in the Capitol, Room 2N.3. |
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Who was the youngest Texas State Senator?
Answer: Temple Lea Houston, born on August 12, 1860 during his father Sam Houston's last term as governor, has the distinction of being the youngest senator in the history of the Texas Legislature. He served in the 19th and 20th Legislatures, and first took the oath of office on January 13, 1885, when he was only 24 years old. No one challenged his qualifications, although Article III, § 6 of the Texas Constitution of 1876 required senators to be at least 26 years of age. [Image: State Preservation Board] Source: LRL Pinterest board, "Texas Tidbits," highlighting people and places in Texas history. |
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When was the First Irrigation Act passed in Texas?
Answer: March 19, 1889, SHB 298, 21st Legislature, Regular Session, An Act to encourage irrigation, and to provide for the acquisition of the rights to the use of water. The Act established the doctrine of prior appropriation; Section 2 of the Act declared all the unappropriated waters of every river or natural stream within the arid portion of the state to be the property of the public and may be acquired by appropriation through a "certified filing" with the County Clerk. Source: LRL Water Law Timeline, which chronicles significant Texas water legislation, court decisions, and state water plans, and highlights years of drought. |
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What is the Official State Native Shrub of Texas?
Answer: The Official State Native Shrub is the Texas Purple Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens). Designated by HCR 71, 79th R.S. (2005) authored by Rep. Dennis Bonnen and sponsored by Sen. Mike Jackson. [Image: Marcus, Joseph A., Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center] Source: LRL Pinterest board, "State Symbols," a complete list of over 60 state symbols of Texas, linked to the legislative resolutions that designated them. |
Fact or fiction: A Texas anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours' notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.
Answer: FICTION. In 1973, Rep. James “Jim” Kaster (D-El Paso) filed HB 110, which proposed to make it a crime to commit a crime without providing at least 24 hours' notice to the intended victim. The bill did not pass and did not become law. You can read the proposed statute entitled "Failure to Warn Victim of Crime" in the LRL Legislative Archive System. Source: LRL's current exhibit in the Library, "Texas Laws: Fact or Fiction?" |
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