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Acknowledgments
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(xvi) Acknowledgments that avoided the one-sided self-aggrandizement often associated with political memoirs. The result is an insider’s view of some of the most contentious issues that grabbed the attention of state government in the 1970s, the people who engaged them, and the forces that tested him and his staff as they maneuvered through often uncharted public policy cross-currents. Acknowledgments John was indebted, as am I, to all of the assistants who worked for John whose names appear in the book, and several whose names do not appear. Their ready cooperation as sources and manuscript reviewers reflects their respect for John as an inspirational leader, a supportive boss, and a phenomenal lawyer. I single out Larry York, John’s initial First Assistant and afterward a lifelong friend and admirer, for his several roles: a source of essential information on several major cases, an always-available and cheerful advisor on many aspects of the book ranging from perceptive copy edits to capturing the tone of John’s management style, and the donor of one of the book’s most interesting photos. Virginia Supreme Court Justice Liz Lacy, the first female division chief in any state attorney general’s office in the nation—a fact of which John often bragged—deserves thanks for taking on the job of representing the insights of his former assistants in a thoughtful introduction. Joe K. Longley provided office space, frequent and entertaining counsel, and the help of his legal and administrative assistant , Amy Weappa. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s contribution of a foreword, providing perceptions from a successor in the attorney general’s office, is a significant addition . Former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby was indispensable in reconstructing several key events in two of the book’s major stories. After John’s death, his daughter, District Judge Martha Jamison, gathered family photos for the book and coordinated family involvement. Several former journalism colleagues with books to their credit or in progress offered valuable guidance: Dave McNeely, Bob Bullock’s biographer and a fellow former John Hill staffer; Mike Cochran, Clayton Williams ’ biographer and a fellow former Associated Press reporter; Saralee Tiede, who is assisting Bill Hobby in writing his memoirs; and Carolyn Barta, Bill Clements’ biographer, whose suggestions as a Texas A&M University Press manuscript reviewer were especially helpful. David Ander- Acknowledgments (xvii) son, a University of Texas law professor and fellow former capitol press reporter, helped me maneuver through legal research issues; and Austin American-Statesman editorial cartoonist Ben Sargent, also a former capitol press colleague, generously provided the cartoons that greatly enhance the book’s illustrations. Generous assistance also was offered by Locke Liddell’s Austin office manager, Edna Diaz, who provided office space and steered me to my faithful audio tape transcribers, Jenaya Farley and DeAnn Caylor; and by John’s assistants, Brenda Reed and Dee Williams. Former Texas Public Utility Commissioner Dennis Thomas pointed me quickly to the resources I needed in researching the history of the telephone industry. Sandra Burrell at Liberty’s Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, Mike Miller at the Austin History Center, Sherry Adams at the Houston Chronicle, Allison Ehrlich at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Beth Andresen at the Dallas Public Library, Laura Saegert at the State Archives, Hank Bass at the State Bar of Texas, and Joel Draught at the Houston Public Library all expedited my research. Our thanks to Texas A&M University Press Editor-in-chief Mary Lenn Dixon, who accepted the book for publication; Maureen Bemko, who improved the text with deft copyediting; and Thom Lemmons, who guided the book through the publishing process at Texas A&M University Press. . Ernie Stromberger Austin, Texas November 2008 [52.91.84.219] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 11:01 GMT) ...