Dolph Briscoe Research Paper

Dolph Briscoe, Jr., was born on April 23, 1923 in Uvalde, Texas, he was the only child of Dolph and Georgie Briscoe. The Briscoe’s family has a strong background in Texas history and politics; their ancestor Andrew Briscoe signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, and led a company of volunteers in the battle of San Jacinto, and was appointed the first judge of Harris County by Sam Houston. Dolph Briscoe, Jr. graduated and met his wife, Betty Jane Slaughter, from the University of Texas at Austin in 1942. After graduating Briscoe served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Briscoe, Jr. was attracted to politics at an early age due to his father friendship with Gov. Ross Sterling. Briscoe, Jr., at the age on nine was invited to stay at Governor’s Mansion in Austin Texas, and to sleep in Sam Houston’s bed. Once Briscoe slept in his Houston’s bed he knew one day he would go back to

He expanded services to handicapped Texans by the department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and established the first toll-free hotline for runaway children. He appointed a larger number of women and minorities than any previous administration, and appointed the first African American members to state boards and appointed the first African American district judge. No new state taxes were passed during Briscoe's terms as governor, making him the first governor since World War II to hold the line on new state taxes or increasing existing state taxes. Briscoe restore integrity back to Texas state government and left a number of achievements and landmarks event when he retired out of office. Briscoe was the first Texas governor to serve a four-term, making his political career as Texas governor for six years. In 1978 Briscoe lost and was denied for a third