The Texas House of Representatives paused legislative business to hold its Speaker’s Reunion Day and adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow after the clerk reported that a quorum was not present.

The ceremony, held on the chamber floor, opened with an invocation by Pastor Scott Wall of Capitol Commission of Austin and proceeded to introductions by dozens of former House members. The program included a moment of silence for former members who have died since the last speakers reunion and a lineup of former speakers and long-serving representatives who offered brief remarks of encouragement and remembrance.

Clerk and chamber officials conducted roll call and verification, after which the chair announced, “A quorum is not present. The house will stand adjourn until 10AM tomorrow.” No formal legislative votes or bills were taken during the session. Members were invited to return at 10 a.m. for further recognition of former members; organizers also announced a barbecue at noon.

Several former speakers and long-serving members addressed the current membership. Ben Barnes, who said he served as speaker from 1965 to 1969, told members, “Texas is worth all your efforts.” Former Speaker Gib Lewis said, “What you are going through right now is probably the highlight of many of your lives.” Pete Laney, another former speaker, told the membership, “I hope that every one of you enjoy what you’re doing.” Helen Giddings, who served in the Dallas area, said, “You are so privileged to have an opportunity to serve.”

Other former members who introduced themselves and offered brief remarks included Charlie Evans, Hugo Balanga, Pete Gallego, Terry Hodge, Deborah Danberg, Joe Heflin, Chip Stanis Wallace, Jeff Wentworth, Frank Court Jr., Vilma Luna, Myra Crownover, Terrell Smith, Ted Roberts, Gonzalo Barrientos, Rick Noriega, Gerard Torres, Ron Lewis, David Cain, Jason Isaac, Larry Gonzalez, Tony Dale, John Rainey, Chuck Hobson, Scott Hochberg, Robert Saunders, Jim Horn, Wade Smith, John Culberson, Robbie Cook, Robert Talton, Robert Echols, Ted Campbell, Todd Staples, Alex Moreno, Ace Pickens, Terry Townsend, Robert Duncan, Tracy King, Elliot Naistat and others who were present for the program.

Chamber staff and the clerk managed procedural matters before and after the program. The chair asked members who wished to remain to honor former members to stay; otherwise the body adjourned until the scheduled 10 a.m. recognition. The session concluded with organizers inviting members to the noon barbecue under tents on the Capitol grounds.

No formal committee actions, ordinance votes, bills, or resolutions were discussed or adopted during the ceremony. The house left the floor to reconvene the following morning for the scheduled recognition of former members.