Every other year the Texas Fellows hold the “Texas Fellows Retreat,” a fun-filled and well- attended event. The Retreat was held this year at the La Cantera Resort and Spa at the edge of the Texas Hill country outside of San Antonio. The weekend started with an evening reception. Past Presidents David Beck and Rodney Acker were present for the reception, as was Regent Cal Mayo. At the formal program on Saturday morning, State Chair Kathy Snapka presided and President Deane provided a report on the activities of the College. He discussed the various law student competitions, both in the United States and Canada, and updated the group on the excellent speakers scheduled to attend the Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. this fall. He also discussed the College’s recent public statements in support of an independent judiciary and the rule of law.
The Fellows presented President Deane with a beautiful bronze hand and quill sculpture, a traditional gift from the Texas Fellows to the President of the College. The formal session was highlighted by a presentation from Fellows Dick DeGuerin and Dan Cogdell, who were defense lawyers for some of the leading figures in the Branch Davidian group siege in Waco, Texas. They described the facts surrounding the standoff and the efforts they made to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the siege before the final assault. Ultimately, the leader, David Koresh, was killed during the standoff and four federal agents died during the siege. Also, seventy-six women and children present with the Branch Davidian died during the siege. The description of the events, as well as the criminal trials that followed, were a dramatic and moving account of this tragedy.
A highlight of the weekend was the presentation of the Joe H. Reynolds Award to Past President Rodney Acker during the Saturday evening dinner. This is not an annual award and has only been given five times in the past. It honors Texas Fellows for exemplary trial skills and service to the College.