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Thomas Hutcheson Bass (b. January 11, 1927) |
'''Thomas "Tom" Hutcheson Bass''' (b. January 11, 1927) is a Texas politician. |
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Bass was born and reared in [[Houston, Texas]]. Bass married his wife, Mary Ann King, in 1950, and together they reared ten children. Bass graduated from the [[University of St. Thomas (Texas)|University of St. Thomas]] in 1944. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served on active duty and in the Army Reserve for 36 years, retiring as a Colonel in 1980. Following active duty, Bass earned a Masters of Arts from the [[University of Texas]] in 1950 and a Masters of Education from the [[University of Houston]] in 1958. |
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Bass spent much of his life as a teacher. For 8 years he taught high school with the [[Houston Independent School District]], and in his later life served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, and [[Texas Southern University]]. |
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Bass’ political career began in 1962, when he ran for a newly-created State Representative seat. His decision to seek election was spawned out of President [[John F. Kennedy|John F. Kennedy’s]] successful presidential campaign. Kennedy’s election broke a long-standing barrier for Catholics seeking political office; Bass believed that if Kennedy could win an election as a Catholic, so could he. |
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Bass served in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] for 10 years, serving as a committee chairman for three sessions and the Harris County Delegation Chairman for two sessions. As a member of the "Dirty Thirty" during the [[Sharpstown scandal|Sharpstown Scandal]], Bass worked on legislation for reform laws to prevent government wrongdoing. As a result of his stance against House Speaker [[Gus Franklin Mutscher|Gus Mutscher]], Bass felt that he had little chance for being re-elected as a state representative. Instead, he ran successfully against incumbent Kyle Chapman, for the position of Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 1. |
Bass served in the [[Texas House of Representatives]] for 10 years, serving as a committee chairman for three sessions and the Harris County Delegation Chairman for two sessions. As a member of the "Dirty Thirty" during the [[Sharpstown scandal|Sharpstown Scandal]], Bass worked on legislation for reform laws to prevent government wrongdoing. As a result of his stance against House Speaker [[Gus Franklin Mutscher|Gus Mutscher]], Bass felt that he had little chance for being re-elected as a state representative. Instead, he ran successfully against incumbent Kyle Chapman, for the position of Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 1. |
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As County Commissioner from 1973 to 1985, Bass worked hard for strong financial disclosure and ethics rules for all county officials and a redistricting of the commissioner precincts that allowed the first minority - [[El Franco Lee]] - to be elected as a Harris County Commissioner. One of Bass' most lasting achievements was the acquisition of 635 acres of riparian corridor along Clear Creek, which forms the southern boundary of Harris County. By conserving this [[greenbelt]], Bass prevented the commercial development of this flood-prone area. In 1984, the park was named Tom Bass Regional Park. Rather than seeking a fourth term as County Commissioner, Bass instead ran unsuccessfully for the [[Us congress|U.S. Congress]]. |
As County Commissioner from 1973 to 1985, Bass worked hard for strong financial disclosure and ethics rules for all county officials and a redistricting of the commissioner precincts that allowed the first minority - [[El Franco Lee]] - to be elected as a Harris County Commissioner. One of Bass' most lasting achievements was the acquisition of 635 acres of riparian corridor along Clear Creek, which forms the southern boundary of Harris County. By conserving this [[greenbelt]], Bass prevented the commercial development of this flood-prone area. In 1984, the park was named Tom Bass Regional Park. Rather than seeking a fourth term as County Commissioner, Bass instead ran unsuccessfully for the [[Us congress|U.S. Congress]]. |
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Following his time in office, Bass helped to establish the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in 1983, and continued to serve as the head of its board of managers. The 9-1-1 Headquarters Building was renamed the Tom Bass Building in 2008 to honor Bass’ contributions. |
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Bass has served on the board of the Visiting Nurses Association, represented Harris County at the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, and does volunteer service at Villa de Mantel. |
Bass has served on the board of the Visiting Nurses Association, represented Harris County at the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, and does volunteer service at Villa de Mantel. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* http://www.911.org |
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* http://www.sths.org/about/hallofhonor/basst.html |
* http://www.sths.org/about/hallofhonor/basst.html |
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* http://www.co.harris.tx.us/comm_lee/ptbassi/index.htm |
* http://www.co.harris.tx.us/comm_lee/ptbassi/index.htm |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bass, Tom}} |
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<!--- Categories ---> |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:1927 births]] |
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[[Category:Members of the Texas House of Representatives]] |
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{{Uncategorized|date=May 2011}} |
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[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]] |
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Thomas "Tom" Hutcheson Bass (b. January 11, 1927) is a Texas politician.
Bass was born and reared in Houston, Texas. Bass married his wife, Mary Ann King, in 1950, and together they reared ten children. Bass graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1944. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served on active duty and in the Army Reserve for 36 years, retiring as a Colonel in 1980. Following active duty, Bass earned a Masters of Arts from the University of Texas in 1950 and a Masters of Education from the University of Houston in 1958.
Bass spent much of his life as a teacher. For 8 years he taught high school with the Houston Independent School District, and in his later life served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, and Texas Southern University.
Bass’ political career began in 1962, when he ran for a newly-created State Representative seat. His decision to seek election was spawned out of President John F. Kennedy’s successful presidential campaign. Kennedy’s election broke a long-standing barrier for Catholics seeking political office; Bass believed that if Kennedy could win an election as a Catholic, so could he.
Bass served in the Texas House of Representatives for 10 years, serving as a committee chairman for three sessions and the Harris County Delegation Chairman for two sessions. As a member of the "Dirty Thirty" during the Sharpstown Scandal, Bass worked on legislation for reform laws to prevent government wrongdoing. As a result of his stance against House Speaker Gus Mutscher, Bass felt that he had little chance for being re-elected as a state representative. Instead, he ran successfully against incumbent Kyle Chapman, for the position of Harris County Commissioner for Precinct 1.
As County Commissioner from 1973 to 1985, Bass worked hard for strong financial disclosure and ethics rules for all county officials and a redistricting of the commissioner precincts that allowed the first minority - El Franco Lee - to be elected as a Harris County Commissioner. One of Bass' most lasting achievements was the acquisition of 635 acres of riparian corridor along Clear Creek, which forms the southern boundary of Harris County. By conserving this greenbelt, Bass prevented the commercial development of this flood-prone area. In 1984, the park was named Tom Bass Regional Park. Rather than seeking a fourth term as County Commissioner, Bass instead ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Congress.
Following his time in office, Bass helped to establish the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in 1983, and continued to serve as the head of its board of managers. The 9-1-1 Headquarters Building was renamed the Tom Bass Building in 2008 to honor Bass’ contributions.
Bass has served on the board of the Visiting Nurses Association, represented Harris County at the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, and does volunteer service at Villa de Mantel.
