William Roy Cousins

For other people named William Cousins, see William Cousins (disambiguation).

William Roy Cousins was a Texas Democratic politician and a member of the Texas Senate. He also served as a school superintendent before becoming a county magistrate judge. He left the bench and entered into private practice in 1934 and worked as an attorney until his death in 1976.^[1]

William Roy "W. R." Cousins
Member of the Texas Senate from the 4th district
In office January 28, 1929 – January 8, 1935
Preceded by	Henry F. Triplett
Succeeded by	Allan Shivers
Member of the Texas Senate from the 14th district
In office January 14, 1919 – January 13, 1925
Preceded by	Vinson Allen Collins
Succeeded by	Richard Saffarrans Bowers
Personal details
Born	(1881-01-26)January 26, 1881 Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Died	August 30, 1976(1976-08-30) (aged 95)
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Profession	Attorney, judge

Family

Cousins had two sons, Wilfred Roy Cousins, who would eventually succeed him as a state senator,^[2] and Weldon Cousins, who served the state of Louisiana as an assistant attorney general.^[1]

Political career

Texas Senate

Cousins served in the Senate of Texas for 24 years, representing Beaumont and Jefferson Counties.^[1]

Among his numerous legislative achievements included the first medical practice act passed in the state of Texas, as well as the creation of the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, one of four independent public universities in Texas. He also authored and sponsored the bill which authorized the building of the Rainbow Bridge (originally named the Port Arthur-Orange Bridge) between Orange County and Port Arthur.^[2][1]