The Honorable Mr. Thomas Hutcheson Bass
Class of 1944

Thomas Hutcheson Bass has served this community as a high school teacher, college professor, US Army Reserve Officer, State Representative, Harris County Commissioner, author of text books, and as a volunteer for numerous boards of area non-profit organizations. While serving in these capacities he had time to qualify for National Senior Olympics in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 in running events.

Born on January 11, 1927, in the community he has served so well. Tom Bass has spent his entire life either educating young people or representing the citizens of Houston as an elected official. While dedicating his life to the betterment of others he found time to be a husband to his wife of forty-eight years, Mary Ann, and father to their ten children. Following his graduation from St. Thomas in 1944, he joined the US Army and served on active duty and in the reserve for a total of thirty-six years, retiring as a Colonel in 1980. Following active duty, Tom earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas in 1950 in just three years, graduating in the top twenty percent of his class. His post graduate education included a Masters in Education from the University of Houston in 1958. His teaching experience included eight years with Houston Independent School District, and he has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, St. Thomas University, and Texas Southern University.

Tom's political career spans the 22 years from 1963 to 1985. He served in the Texas Legislature for ten years. During his tenure in the House, he was a committee chairman for three sessions and Harris Country Delegation Chairman for two sessions. He worked hard on legislation for reform laws to expose government wrong doing as an active part of the "Dirty Thirty" during the Sharpstown scandal. As Country Commissioner from 1973 to 1985 Tom worked hard for strong financial disclosure and ethics rules for all county officials, redistricting that would allow the first minority to be elected to the commissioners court and the establishment of the 911 emergency system for Harris County. He continues to serve as head of the 911 Harris County Board. Because of extensive environmental efforts, the Tom Bass Regional Park on Clear Creek was named after Tom.

Commissioner Bass authored the Texas portion of Magruders American Government, an unpublished study on the Speaker of the Texas House and co-authored the new Texas Government textbook of 1999. He has served on the board of the Visiting Nurses Associate, as Harris County Representative to Texas Silver Haired Legislation, and does volunteer service at Villa de Mantel. He currently is teaching Political Science at the University of St. Thomas. In his spare time, Tom qualified in four events for the 1999 National Senior Olympics.

Four of the Bass sons, Martin '71, Paul '72, Robert '78, and Daniel '82, graduated from St. Thomas.