William Roy Cousins was a Texas Democratic politician and a member of the Texas Senate. He also served as a school superintendent before becoming a county magistrate judge. He left the bench and entered into private practice in 1934 and worked as an attorney until his death in 1976.[1]

William Roy "W. R." Cousins
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 4th district
In office
January 28, 1929 – January 8, 1935
Preceded byHenry F. Triplett
Succeeded byAllan Shivers
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 14th district
In office
January 14, 1919 – January 13, 1925
Preceded byVinson Allen Collins
Succeeded byRichard Saffarrans Bowers
Personal details
Born(1881-01-26)January 26, 1881
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
DiedAugust 30, 1976(1976-08-30) (aged 95)
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
ProfessionAttorney, judge

Family

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Cousins had two sons, Wilfred Roy Cousins, who would eventually succeed him as a state senator,[2] and Weldon Cousins, who served the state of Louisiana as an assistant attorney general.[1]

Political career

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Texas Senate

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Cousins served in the Senate of Texas for 24 years, representing Beaumont and Jefferson Counties.[1]

Among his numerous legislative achievements included the first medical practice act passed in the state of Texas, as well as the creation of the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, one of four independent public universities in Texas. He also authored and sponsored the bill which authorized the building of the Rainbow Bridge (originally named the Port Arthur-Orange Bridge) between Orange County and Port Arthur.[2][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "In Memory of W. R. Cousins, Sr" (PDF). Senate Journal: 79. January 13, 1977.
  2. ^ a b "In Memory of Wilfred Roy Cousins". Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, First and Second Called Sessions of the Seventieth Legislature, Volume 4, Legislative Document, 1987: 310. 1987.