A PROFILE IN PROFESSIONALISM

We all plant trees under whose shade we will never sit. And mostly we plant those trees without the knowledge of what we do. Through the years I have had the privilege of associating with some giant men and women. It is my belief they were unaware of the lasting impact their tutelage would have on the life of their pupil.

The Honorable Olen Underwood, Presiding Judge Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas 284th Judicial District Court, Montgomery County, Texas

Darrell Royal (coach at the University of Texas) taught discipline and courage; Crawford Martin {Attorney General of Texas (1967-1972)} taught gentleness and statesmanship; Charles Jones (high school coach) taught humility; Kenneth Trent (boyhood pastor) taught dedication; and Dad taught faith and commitment.

And of course, probably even more influential were the great women who provided guidance. Ms. Gray, Ms. Cotton, Mrs. Lofton, educators whose training and perseverance, in spite of all resistance, stand the test of time. Mother whose faith and love provides a guiding light for everyone with whom she has contact.

Every person within eyesight of this writing has similar people of influence, and everyone we contact will be influenced by us. It has been said we are all like paper and everyone who passes by leaves a mark.

The question is, “What kind of mark will we leave?” What shade from the trees we plant, will be provided for those who follow? Will we leave behind a legacy of wisdom, peaceable and gentle and easy to entreat? Will our teaching be full of mercy and good will without partiality and without hypocrisy? Will they understand it is not about us?

The legal profession has the greatest responsibility of all professions. One filled with tribulations and trials, but one nevertheless which determines the destiny of nations as all free people are controlled by the rule of law. We have a respectable profession which carries great personal prestige. The reason for the prestige is because it is the task which makes a person great and it is the service being rendered which is the badge of honor.