Estate Find

Governor Wallace G. Wilkinson 

and

 First Lady Martha S. Wilkinson

Invitation

1990 Kentucky Derby Festivities

We offer the official invitation to join the Governor and First Lady of Kentucky for the 1990 Kentucky Derby race and festivities.

The invitation begins with The Governor's Derby Eve Ball, Friday the fourth of May, 1990 at the Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort, Kentucky, followed by an invitation for The Governor's Derby Day Breakfast, a trip to the races aboard the "Pegasus Express" train and a candlelight dinner on the return voyage on the train. The weekend invitation concludes with Sunday Brunch hosted by the Governor and First Lady at the French Gardens of the Governor's Mansion.

Following the three invitations is a passage from the February 1, 1990 State of the Commonwealth Address by Governor Wallace G. Wilkinson, followed by a May 6, 1956 quote by the author John Steinbeck, and concluded with a passage from "Kentucky is My Land", 1952, by Jesse Stuart.

The invitations are on heavy stock paper with accents of elaborate gilt lettering. The binder is cobalt blue with the Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky inscribed in gilt. Marbleized paper in blues and greens line the interior of the binder and a hand tied ribbon holds the pages in place.

The binder measures 8 1/2' by 6 1/4". 

Provenance

Texas State Senator

Orland Harold "Ike" Harris

(1932-2021)

Orland Harold "Ike" Harris was a long-time Texas state senator and early Republican leader in Dallas.

Ike Harris graduated from the University of North Texas in 1954 with a degree in political science and then began his career of service by entering the United States Air Force where he was an instructor pilot until his honorable discharge with the rank of Captain in 1957.

Harris next enrolled at Southern Methodist University (Dedman) School of Law. Displaying his leadership abilities early, he served as president of both the law school class and the student body while at Southern Methodist University. Harris was a member of Cycen Fjodr, a men's honorary society, as well as Barristers, a legal honorary society, and was listed among Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. He received his LLB degree in 1960 and in the same year was admitted to the State Bar of Texas, subsequently being admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court, Northern District, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

In November 1962, Ike Harris was elected as one of the first Republican state representatives from Dallas County at a time when the party's legislative delegation could meet in the proverbial telephone booth. Five years later, Harris won a special election to the Texas Senate, becoming one of two GOP members in that chamber.

Ike Harris would go on to serve twenty-seven years representing Dallas County in the Texas Senate, becoming the first Republican to be dean of the Senate as its longest-serving member and also being elected President Pro-Tempore of the Senate during the interim of the 63rd Legislature.

During his service in the Senate, Ike Harris was chairman of numerous committees, including State Affairs, Jurisprudence, and Economic Development. He held leadership positions in the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas Judicial Council, Legislative Natural Resources Board, and Legislative Budget Board.

While a committed Republican, Ike Harris always was willing to work with others across party lines to advance policies benefitting all Texans. Among the many issues on which he provided leadership were the implementation of interstate banking, insurance reform, and the expansion of the University of Texas at Dallas to a four-year institution. Harris was author of the legislation permitting pari-mutuel betting at horse race tracks in Texas, for which the racing industry honored him with its JoAnn Weber Distinguished Service Award