NO. D-1742
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS
Austin, Texas
IN THE INTEREST OF
JESSE WAYNE TOMPKINS, A MINOR CHILD
TEXAS FATHERS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
JOINDER IN RESPONDENT'S REPLY TO PETITIONER'S
APPLICATION FOR WRIT OF ERROR AND
CROSS POINTS OF ERROR
HURST, WHITTENTON
A Professional Corporation
8045 Mesa Drive
Austin, Texas 78731
Telephone: (512) 343-9151
JESSE L. WHITTENTON
State Bar No. 21397700
ATTORNEYS FOR AMICUS CURIAE
TEXAS FATHERS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
STATEMENT OF AMICUS CURIAE
TO THE HONORABLE COURT:
COMES NOW, Texas Fathers for Equal Rights, a non-profit
organization with a membership consisting mainly of Texas
fathers, the majority of whom are non-custodial parents and
whose goal is to obtain the equal application of law to fact
without regard to gender, and advises this Honorable Court
that it hereby joins with the Respondent, Larry Gibson, in
the issues now pending before this Court in the above
referenced matter.
Respondent's Reply to Petitioner's Application for Writ
of Error and Cross Points of Error fairly articulates the issues
at stake in this action and fairly delineates the applicable
law. Texas Fathers for Equal Rights would only add that it
would appear that the arguments put forward by Petitioners
support the position that, in the instant case, it is in the
best interest of the child to deceive the child regarding
his heritage, deny him any benefit of a
relationship with his natural father, and expose him, should
the Petitioners separate, as they have, to the probability
that the "presumed father" will deny parentage and be
permitted to avoid child support, to which the child is
entitled. Texas Fathers for Equal Rights takes issue with
that position.
Yet further, Texas Fathers for Equal Rights submits that
a ruling in favor of Petitioners will ultimately facilitate
adoptions in this state at the expense of biological fathers, allowing
facilities such as Hope Cottage, Inc., The Methodist Home, The
Gladney Center and Lena Pope Home to place children with only a
cursory and superficial attempt, if any, at locating the
biological fathers of their charges. A very convenient set of
circumstances for all, save the father of the child, who,
should Petitioners prevail, will not have the right to even
petition the Court.
Texas Fathers for Equal Rights respectfully urges this
Honorable Court to rule on behalf of the Respondent.
Respectfully submitted,
HURST, WHITTENTON
A Professional Corporation
8045 Mesa Drive
Austin, Texas 7873
Telephone: (512) 343-9151
Signed: JESSE L. WHITTENTON
State Bar No. 21397700
ATTORNEYS FOR AMICUS CURIAE
TEXAS FATHERS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
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