University of Texas Arlington

Longtime Arlington state senator praised for service

Some familiar Tarrant County faces will be absent from their accustomed places when the 83rd Texas Legislature convenes at noon Tuesday in Austin, a Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial reported. Foremost among them will be Arlington's Chris Harris, who is retiring from his lawmaking role 28 years after he first took a seat in the House. Harris moved over to the Senate in 1991 and has been the longest-serving Republican in that body since Teel Bivins and Bill Ratliff both left in 2004. When Harris announced his decision to return to private life, University of Texas at Arlington President James Spaniolo praised him for his "relentless efforts" on behalf the university and said UTA "would not be the quality academic institution it is today" without the lawmaker's efforts.