Gib Lewis

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Gibson Donald "Gib" Lewis (born 1936) is a Democratic U.S. political figure from Fort Worth, Texas. He was the first person to be elected five times as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

He was elected Speaker in 1983 to succeed Billy Wayne "Bill" Clayton of Springlake in Lamb County. He was a key figure in passing the 1984 education act, designed by Ross Perot and Democratic Governor Mark Wells White, which was hailed at the time as one of the most sweeping public education reforms in Texas history. He was instrumental in the passage of the 1985 comprehensive Texas Water Plan. An avid sportsman, Lewis carried legislation creating the "Operation Game Thief" program and was a sponsor of the Uniform Game Management Act. Lewis did not seek reelection to the House in 1992 and retired as Speaker.

Lewis was elected to the House from Tarrant County in 1970 and named chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources in 1973. He chaired the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs in 1977. His political career began with his election to the River Oaks City Council in 1969. Born in Oletha in Limestone County, and raised in Mexia, Lewis arrived in Fort Worth, the seat of Tarrant County, as a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed at Carswell AFB.

A successful businessman, Lewis founded Lewis Label Products, a firm which specialized in pressure-sensitive labels. It grew into a multimillion dollar business. He also lobbies state government on behalf of private clients. He is married to the former Sandra Majors.

[edit] Indictment on Ethics Charges

In January 1992, Lewis pleaded no contest to two charges alleging that he illegally accepted a gift from a prominent San Antonio law firm and failed to disclose it on official financial reports filed with the state.

As part of a plea bargain, Lewis agreed to not seek reelection and pay a one thousand dollar fine for each charge.

[edit] Reference

Preceded by Robert M. “Bob” Burnett	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 52-4 (Fort Worth) 1971–1973	Succeeded by Obsolete district
Preceded by Obsolete district	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 32-4 (Fort Worth) 1973–1977	Succeeded by Obsolete district
Preceded by Obsolete district	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 32-E (Fort Worth) 1977–1979	Succeeded by Charles Evans
Preceded by Roy English	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 32-G (Fort Worth) 1979–1983	Succeeded by Obsolete district
Preceded by Senfronia Thompson	Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 89 (Fort Worth) 1983–1993	Succeeded by Homer Dear
Preceded by Bill Clayton	Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives 1983-1993	Succeeded by Pete Laney

Speakers of the Texas House of Representatives

Crump • Brown • Branch • Crump • Bourland • Perkins • Henderson • Keenan • Dickson • Runnels • Bee • W. Taylor • Locke • M. Taylor • Buckley • Darnell • Buckley • M. Taylor • Burford • Evans • Sinclair • M. Taylor • Bryan • Bonner • Cochran • Reeves • Gibson • Foster • Pendleton • Alexander • Milner • Cochran • Smith • Dashiell • Sherrill • Prince • Neff • Seabury • Love • Kennedy • Marshall • Rayburn • Terrell • Woods • Fuller • Thomason • Thomas • Seagler • Satterwhite • Bobbitt • Barron • Minor • Stevenson • Calvert • Morse • Leonard • Daniel • Gilmer • Reed • Manford • Senterfitt • Lindsey • Carr • Turman • Tunnell • Barnes • Mutscher • Slider • Price • Daniel, Jr. • Clayton • Lewis • Laney • Craddick