Judge W. Jeanne Meurer was elected to the 98th District Court in 1989 by the Austin Travis County community and has served in that capacity since that date.  Judge Meurer had presided over thousands of cases on the docket involving abuse and neglect proceedings, and in the area of juvenile justice and delinquency proceedings.  In this regard, she has been described as one of the most dedicated and exemplar Jurists.

She currently served as the Chair of the Travis County Juvenile Board and has for 12 years.  In 1998-2000, Judge Meurer was appointed local administrative Judge by her colleagues and fellow jurists.

In the course of her 28 years of public service, she has served as a tremendous advocate for children and youth.  Judge Meurer has provided valuable leadership in the development of juvenile programs and services in the Travis County community.  Through her efforts and commitment to juvenile justice and child welfare issues, many programs and opportunities have been made available for families, children and for the community as a whole.

As a tribute to her work, in January 2001 the Travis County Juvenile Board and  the Travis County Commissioner’s Court dedicated a newly constructed juvenile facility in her honor as the W. Jeanne Meurer Intermediate Sanctions Facility.

Various letters and tributes about Judge Meurer have included the following descriptions:

“As a testimony to her effectiveness, one need only look at the number of youths whose lives were changed for the better after coming before her in her court…."

“She has taught us all to look outside the box and to reach beyond what we believed was possible to better serve children….”

“In our view, the children of Travis County do not have a more passionate, dedicated or effective advocate than Judge Meurer….”

From Jerry Vauk: "On Saturday March 8th, I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while bike riding to my work at AMD in Oak Hill. This was not a heart attack but rather an electrical disruption which stopped my heart. I'm very lucky to be alive, statistically the survival rate is only about 5%. I'm alive today because of good samaritans, quick response of Tim Gibbons & Steve White from the Fire Station #27 on McCarty Ln, and the some of the best in the country cardiac
care in Austin including induced hyperthermia where they cooled my body temperature to 88 degrees.

My reasons for suggesting this story are twofold. First the importance of first responders. The good samaritans who stopped to render aid. They called 911 and provided critical CPR until the EMTs could arrive. There were three people who stopped. Two gentlemen who called 911 and started chest compressions. Also a lady (Lynn Hershberg), who is a nurse, stopped and administered mouth to mouth and chest compressions and continued despite my
vomiting. I have gotten in contact with Lynn but have yet to identify the two gentlemen who stopped. The second, most important reason, is to raise awareness of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) and AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators). AEDs are being placed in a lot of businesses and public places these days. However, there
is little awareness of what these devices are and how to use them. These devices are easy to use and are critical to the survival of anyone who has suffered a SCA."

The Health Allaince for Austin Musicians (HAAM) is an organization that provides low-cost medical, dental, and mental health care to Austin’s hard-working, low-income musicians. HAAM believes in giving back to the Austin music industry, which earns the city nearly $1 billion in economic activity and more than $25 million in local tax revenue each year, by helping the low-income professional musicians and their families receive health care. More than 1,300 member-musicians, most 35 and younger, have been served. The Alliance was founded in 2005 when Seton Family of Hospitals and St. David's Community Health Foundation Leadership joined forces with The SIMS Foundation to provide high quality services to professional musicians, self-employed and without health insurance. Since March 2005, HAAM has raised more than $1 million. Bo Porter, a local musician, has this to say about HAAM, “(HAAM) has taken care of my family’s dental needs. When you are on stage, you want a good smile. The Seton clinic has also helped me with allergy problems and everyone there is so nice.” 

Another success story comes from Tommy Hill, a local musician who used to open for Willie Nelson. Tommy didn’t have health care when he “nearly dropped dead” from an arterial blockage so he turned to HAAM for help. Now years later and in much better health, he is still singing praises. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians has changed Tommy Hill’s mind about Austin; “In a city that takes pride in its musical heritage but hasn't always taken care of its musicians” this program is stepping up and changing lives.

The manager of Lube Pit Stop Manager, Richard Slack, responded quickly after hearing a collision on U.S. 290. As a former volunteer firefighter, Slack was able to help put out the fire that resulted a head on collision on 290. Harry Evans, a battalion chief with the Austin Fire Department, said “Along with several other bystanders and passers-by, Slack helped put out the flames before emergency crews arrived, saving the life of the pickup driver”
Immediately after hearing the crash, Slack rushed over calling 911 as he went. Once he arrived at the scene, he used a fire extinguisher from a school bus driver and started to put out the flames. While working on the fire he helped the dazed driver remain calm by talking to him and telling him to “'Stay calm, the fire department is on the way.” Slack said. "If I hadn't put that truck out, he would've died."

This extraordinary hero helped save two people’s lives by responding quickly and effectively; using his knowledge and skills to help put out the flames.