In memory of Judge Zinetta Arceneaux Burney of Houston.

89(R) HR 275 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 275

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The Honorable Zinetta Arceneaux Burney of Houston

passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 83, leaving her

loved ones to reflect on her remarkable life and achievements; and

WHEREAS, A Houston native, the former Zinetta Arceneaux was

born on February 24, 1941, to John and Thelma Arceneaux; although

she left high school to raise her daughter, Sharon Maria Burney, she

later earned her GED and completed training to begin her career as a

licensed vocational nurse; in 1968, she received a bachelor's

degree in mathematics from Texas Southern University, and she went

on to graduate from TSU's Thurgood Marshall School of Law on her way

to becoming an attorney; and

WHEREAS, Alongside four other women, Ms. Burney founded the

first African American female-led law practice in the country,

known as the "Sisters in Law," which served the Acres Homes

community; she took on cases even when her clients were unable to

pay, and her generosity extended to helping others in the

neighborhood with groceries and other necessities; she later became

the senior partner of the law firm of Burney & Foreman, and in 2004,

she was elected presiding judge of Harris County Justice of the

Peace Court, Precinct 7, Place 2; she served in that capacity for a

decade and a half until she had the satisfaction of seeing her

daughter succeed her in her long-held position in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Active in her professional community, Judge Burney

belonged to the Houston Lawyers Association, the Gulf Coast Black

Women Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Houston

and National Bar Associations, among others; in addition, she was

appointed by Governor Ann Richards to the University of Houston

System Board of Regents; she benefited her fellow residents through

her work as a board member for the Third Ward Redevelopment Council

and the Greater Houston Women's Foundation, as chair of the board of

commissions for the Houston Housing Authority, and as a member of

such local organizations as the Houston Area Urban League;

throughout her life, she was recognized for her accomplishments by

the City of Houston, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, the

Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and numerous other groups; and

WHEREAS, Zinetta Burney was a pioneering legal professional

and a true pillar of her community, and although she will be greatly

missed, she leaves behind a legacy that will long be treasured by

all who held her dear; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Zinetta

Arceneaux Burney and extend deepest sympathy to her family and

friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of

Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Zinetta

Burney.

Jones of Harris

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 275 was unanimously adopted by a

rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House