H.C.R. No. 14 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, The Honorable Lori Rickert is retiring as presiding judge for Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 and Probate Court on December 31, 2026, following two decades of dedicated service; and WHEREAS, In 2006, Judge Rickert was elected as the county's first presiding judge for Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 and Probate Court; she has since won reelection four times, with no primary opponents, and in 2018 easily defeated her sole general election challenger; and WHEREAS, Judge Rickert has presided over a wide range of matters, including felony, criminal misdemeanor, civil, probate, guardianship, and juvenile cases; moreover, she has administered the county's Recovery Court program, which provides personalized, one-on-one support for individuals struggling with addiction as an alternative to traditional probation or incarceration; and WHEREAS, Previously, Judge Rickert served for eight years as an assistant district attorney for Brazoria County; in addition to handling both misdemeanor and felony cases, she represented the State of Texas in child abuse and neglect matters; she earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston and went on to graduate from South Texas College of Law in 1997; and WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Judge Rickert is supported by the love and encouragement of her husband, John Ontiveros, and their daughters, Alexandria and Gina Ontiveros; she is a proud grandmother and a valued member of Brazos Pointe Fellowship Church in Lake Jackson, where she teaches kindergarten Sunday school; and WHEREAS, Lori Rickert's tenure as a jurist has been characterized by diligence, integrity, and a deep sense of fairness, and she may reflect with pride on the exemplary service she has provided to the residents of Brazoria County; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Lori Rickert on her retirement as presiding judge for Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 and Probate Court and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Judge Rickert as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Vasut ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the House on August 27, 2025, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 14 was adopted by the Senate on September 4, 2025, by a viva-voce vote. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor