Today is George Floyd Day

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Today, June 9, 2020, as mourners gather in southwest Houston to remember George Floyd, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo plans to declare the day to be “George Floyd Day” in Harris County, Texas. Mr. Floyd’s death has sparked global protests and a renewed focus on civil rights. As the public law library for Harris County, we want to contribute to the conversation by assisting anyone who needs access to legal information. Knowledge is power and access to knowledge empowers. If we can help you find information or assist with your legal research, please visit our Virtual Reference Desk to contact us.

You can also find a wealth of information about civil rights and the law of protests from the following sources:

Civil Rights Law

• Sacramento County Public Law Library: Law 101 Civil Rights

• Law Library at University of Minnesota Law School: Resource Guide - Civil Rights in the United States

• Georgetown Law Library: A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States

• Harvard Law School Library: Civil Rights Law Research

• Princeton University Library: African American Studies: Civil Rights

Law of Protests

• ACLU: Rights of Protestors

• ACLU-Texas: Free Speech and the Right to Protest

• FindLaw: Is there a right to peacefully protest?

• FindLaw: Protest Laws by State

Racial Justice

• Drake Law Library: Racial Justice in the U.S. Guide

• New York Law School: Racial Justice Project - Publications

19th Amendment Centennial and Women's History Month

Happy Women’s History Month! This year, the commemoration takes on added significance as we mark the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. To celebrate 100 years of votes for women, the Harris County Law Library will host events focused on women’s suffrage and women in law and government.

Votes for Texas Women, the exhibition: March 17 - April 3, 2020

“100 Years after the 19th Amendment: Their Legacy, and Our Future”

a traveling exhibit from the American Bar Association and Law Library of Congress

Visit the Harris County Law Library beginning March 17 to view the traveling exhibit from the American Bar Association and Law Library of Congress about the progress of suffrage in the last 100 years. The Law Library is the only institution in the Texas Gulf Coast Region slated to host the exhibit and we are proud to make it available to all through April 3, 2020. 

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The Law Library will also display an exhibit featuring artifacts from our archives, including an original 1920 printing of the 19th Amendment, to provide insight into the journey of women’s suffrage from the signs of suffragettes through the Texas and U.S. Constitutions and Supreme Courts.

Register to Vote!

All eligible exhibit goers will have a chance to register to vote at the end of the exhibit. As a voter registration agency under Chapter 20 of the Texas Election Code, the Law Library will offer voter registration cards and accept completed applications.

Learn more on our 19th Amendment Centennial page.

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19th Amendment Centennial Symposium: April 2, 2020

Registration is now open for the Law Library’s 19th Amendment Centennial Symposium. Join us on the 103rd anniversary of the day Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to serve in the U.S House of Representatives, was sworn in at the Capitol as Mariann Sears, the first woman to serve as director of the Harris County Law Library, will welcome notable women from the legal community and government to discuss the importance of inclusion. The event is free and open to all, but registration is limited. Register today!

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Women’s History Month Exhibit and Digital Exhibit: March 1-31, 2020

Throughout the month, visitors to the Law Library can view an exhibit commemorating the achievements of Camille Elizabeth Stanford Openshaw, the first woman to serve on the board of directors for the Harris County Law Library. Visit the digital exhibit to learn more about Ms. Openshaw.

The Law of Impeachment, a discussion for all

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On Monday, December 16, we welcomed attorney and author Barbara A. Radnofsky for The Law of Impeachment, a special continuing legal education event from Office of Vince Ryan, Harris County Attorney, and the Law Library. Radnofsky’s book, A Citizen’s Guide to Impeachment, is a well-researched, non-partisan guide to this timely topic and provided a touchstone for a lively discussion with lawyers and members of the public in attendance.

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A Citizen’s Guide for the Citizens

Following the program, Radnofsky met with participants for a book signing in the lobby of the Harris County Attorney Conference Center. She presented a signed copy to Law Library Deputy Director Joe Lawson to be added to the collection and made available to everyone.

“We are honored to add this work to our collection and to make Barbara’s expertise and research available to everyone at the Law Library,” Lawson said.

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The Law of Impeachment - the exhibit

To add to the learning opportunity, the Law Library assembled an exhibit of rare books, including original printings of the proceedings of impeachment for U.S. President Andrew Johnson and Texas Governor James “Pa” Ferguson. The exhibit remains on display at the Law Library and online as a digital exhibit.

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The Law of Impeachment - the recording

Monday’s program was recorded and will be published as an on-demand video CLE in January, 2020. If you would like to receive an announcement about the recording, please sign up for the Law Library’s email newsletter below.

The Law of Impeachment - a digital exhibit from the Harris County Law Library

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The legal history of impeachment is on display at the Harris County Law Library and online as a digital exhibit. Learn about the sources of law useful for researching the impeachment process, and historical cases of impeachment under both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions. The exhibit features works from the Law Library’s historical collection, including an original 1868 printing by the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the record of proceedings in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. You can also find a copy of Record of Proceedings of the High Court of Impeachment on the Trial of Hon. James Ferguson, Governor, which has been a part of the Law Library’s collection for over 100 years and chronicles the only case of impeachment against a sitting governor of Texas.

Plan your visit to see “The Law of Impeachment” exhibit at our downtown Houston location or visit our website to view the digital exhibit today!

On the Ballot: Texas Constitutional Amendments 2019

Ten proposed constitutional amendments will be on the November ballot. The Texas League of Women Voters has compiled a nice list of the amendments along with important voting deadlines. Compare the pros and cons of each proposed amendment, and prepare to cast your vote on Election Day, November 5, 2019.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments

1. Municipal Judges

2. Assistance for Water Projects in Distressed Areas

3. Tax Relief for Disaster Areas

4. Personal Income Tax

5. Sporting Goods Tax to Support State Parks

6. Cancer Prevention & Research

7. Funding Public Education

8. Flood Control

9. Tax Exemption of Precious Metals

10. Law Enforcement Animals

For additional information and resources for voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov And, for a brief history lesson on why the Texas Constitution is so long, with so many amendments, read this article at the Texas Tribune. Finally, for all your Texas statutory and Constitutional law research needs, the Texas Legislative Reference Library is your best free online resource.