Harold J. “Tex” Lezar Jr., who served as the vice chairman of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, died of a heart attack yesterday at the age of 55.
Lezar began his political career as a speechwriter and special assistant to President Richard Nixon, before earning a law degree and joining the presidential campaign staff of Ronald Reagan in 1980. He was then appointed a special counsel to the U.S. Attorney general.
The highpoint of his career was his appointment to the Meese Commission, officially known as the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography. The Meese Commission launched a war on pornography in the late 80s, prosecuting businesses involved at all levels of the adult industry, from mom and pop retailers to large producers and distributors.
After the Meese Commission, Lezar remained active in public affairs as the executive officer of Empower America, a conservative “pro-growth” group.
