William P. Hobby Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William P. Hobby Jr.
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| 5th Chancellor of the University of Houston System | |
| In office 1995–1997 |
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| Preceded by | Alexander F. Schilt |
| Succeeded by | Arthur K. Smith |
| 37th Lieutenant Governor of Texas | |
| In office January 16, 1973 – January 15, 1991 |
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| Governor | Dolph Briscoe Bill Clements Mark White Bill Clements |
| Preceded by | Ben Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Bob Bullock |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Pettus Hobby Jr.
January 19, 1932 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Diana Poteat Stallings
(died 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
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| Residences | Houston, Texas |
| Alma mater | Rice University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1953–1957 |
| Rank | Lieutenant (JG) |
William Pettus Hobby Jr. (born January 19, 1932) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He is best known for serving a record 18 years as the 37th lieutenant governor of Texas. He held this important job from 1973 to 1991. This was an amazing five terms!
He was the last lieutenant governor to serve a two-year term. He was also the first to be elected for a four-year term. This change happened after the Texas Constitution was updated in 1974. The main job of the Texas lieutenant governor is to lead the Texas State Senate.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
William P. Hobby Jr. was born in Houston, Texas. He was the only son of William P. Hobby Sr. and Oveta Culp Hobby. His family had a long history in Texas politics. Both of his grandfathers were part of the Texas Legislature.
His father, William P. Hobby Sr., was also a lieutenant governor. He later became the governor from 1917 to 1921. His mother, Oveta Culp Hobby, made history too. She was the first person to lead the new U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. President Dwight D. Eisenhower chose her for this role.
Education and Military Service
Hobby went to high school at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.. After that, he attended Rice University in Houston. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953.
After college, he joined the United States Navy. He served for four years in naval intelligence.
Newspaper Career
For many years, the Hobby family owned a newspaper called the Houston Post. William P. Hobby Jr. worked there, learning about the editorial side. In 1963, his father became ill. Hobby then took over leading the newspaper.
He was president of the Post for 20 years. The family sold the newspaper in 1983. Later, in 1995, the Houston Post was combined with the Houston Chronicle.
Political Journey
Hobby's long career in government started in 1959. He worked as a parliamentarian for the Texas Senate. This role helps make sure rules are followed during meetings.
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to special groups. These included the Presidential Task Force on Suburban Problems. He also joined the National Citizens Advisory Committee on Vocational Rehabilitation.
Governor Preston Smith chose him for the Texas Air Control Board. In 1969, Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes made him head of a committee. This committee looked into welfare reform. In 1971, Hobby left the Texas Air Control Board to run for lieutenant governor.
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Hobby was elected lieutenant governor in November 1972. He won with a huge 93 percent of the votes. The previous lieutenant governor, Ben Barnes, decided to run for governor instead.
Hobby won easily in most of his elections. In 1982, he defeated George Strake Jr., a Republican businessman. Hobby was re-elected in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1986. He chose not to run for a sixth term in 1990. Bob Bullock became the next lieutenant governor.
Key Roles and Achievements
Besides leading the state senate, Hobby held many other important political jobs. He was chairman of the Governor's Energy Advisory Council from 1973 to 1977. He also co-chaired the Texas Energy and Natural Resource Advisory Council.
He helped create the Texas Sunset Act. This law helps review state agencies to make sure they are still needed. He also worked on a committee for educational services for the deaf.
In 1974, he was chairman of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. In 1985, he worked with Helen J. Farabee to create the Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR). This department helps people with mental health needs.
Hobby was known for being smart with money and a good leader in the Texas Senate. He brought in new ways to manage state budgets. One idea was "zero-based budgeting." This meant agencies had to explain why they needed every dollar, not just new money.
During his time, important laws were passed. These included a plan for health care for those who couldn't afford it. A Texas water plan was also created. The school finance bill of 1984 changed how state money was shared among schools. It also required teachers to be tested. A rule called "no-pass-no-play" was also started. This rule meant students had to pass their classes to play sports.
In 1979, Hobby traveled to China. He signed a deal for China to sell oil to refineries in Houston.
After Political Life
After leaving his role as lieutenant governor, Hobby continued to serve. He became the Chancellor of the University of Houston System from 1995 to 1997.
He also stayed active in business. He was on the boards of many companies, including Southwest Airlines for 17 years. He was a Trustee for the LBJ Foundation. He taught at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Rice University. He also worked as a commissioner for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
In 2010, he wrote a book called How Things Really Work: Lessons from a Life in Politics. This book was also made into an audiobook for people with visual or reading disabilities.
Personal Life
William P. Hobby Jr. was married to Diana Poteat Stallings. She passed away on July 4, 2014. They had four children: Laura, Paul, Andrew, and Katherine.
Diana Hobby was an editor for a literature journal. She was also the book editor for The Houston Post. Both William and Diana Hobby were big supporters of arts, literature, and libraries. Their son, Paul Hobby, also ran for a political office in 1998.
Legacy
On May 5, 1989, the state senate honored William P. Hobby Jr. The William P. Hobby, Jr. State Office Building in Austin is named after him. This building is home to the Texas Department of Insurance.
The Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston is named in honor of Hobby and his family. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is also named after them. The restaurant inside the Hobby Center, Diana American Grill, is named after Hobby's wife, Diana.
See also
In Spanish: William P. Hobby Jr. para niños
- Hobby–Eberly Telescope
