James R. Moriarty

When social responsibility comes to mind many people think of philanthropy. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s writings instead draw our attention to social responsibility in the form of liberation. This theme of liberating others has been a thread that has shaped Jim Moriarty’s life as a lawyer, Marine, father, and athlete. Moriarty has a unique gift in spotting what needs liberating and then finding means to enable freedom to emerge. This freedom comes in the form of liberating Olympic dreams, schools limited in educational funding, struggling American soldiers, and victims of corporate greed and deceit.

Before his formal education as a lawyer, Moriarty already had a zest for fighting for justice. Moriarty’s three tours of Vietnam (a request on his part) were fueled by his “passion for what (he) believes in” and a desire to challenge himself and rise above expectations others had set for him. “It’s the quest, not the fame,” that still drives him. A high school dropout and voluntarily enlisted soldier, Moriarty was released from active duty as a Sergeant (four rankings above where he entered) with two single mission air medals under his belt for heroic achievement. Years after Moriarty’s Vietnam tours, he had the opportunity to liberate for a second time a fellow soldier who was successfully acquitted of manslaughter and released from death row by reason of insanity. This case was the earliest successful trials in which a Vietnam Vet’s actions were attributed to post traumatic stress disorder. Moriarty’s first encounter with this soldier had been in the jungles of Vietnam where he and the members of his emergency gunship (helicopter with guns) riskily dropped down with little gas and ammunition remaining to save the soldier and 2 other men. For this gun run with a pistol Moriarty received a medal of heroism.

Part of liberty is keeping recognition alive for those who served their country so that they don’t become trapped in a secluded group of forgotten people who understand their heroism. Moriarty has also invested his own money in restoring a UH 34 and donating an A-4 Skyhawk to the Collings Foundation(a non-profit, educational foundation, founded to organize and support "living history" events involving transportation). Both machines are now flown in air shows across the nation in memory of those who selflessly and bravely served their country. Moriarty also established, published and served as the editor for Pop a Smoke, the quarterly publication for the United States Marine Corps Combat Helicopter Association. Today, Moriarty serves as the only lawyer and one of the few enlisted soldiers to be elected to the board of directors for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Moriarty says that the two things that saved him were “joining the Marine Corps and reading”. His voracious reading is undeniably linked with his early curiosity for computers. This early understanding of the important role computers would play in the world spurred his early investment in not only his children’s education but that of generations of Houston’s children. Moriarty freed the Houston Independent School District from its noncomputerized state. He went to Poe Elementary school, where his kids attended, and offered to computerize the school under the condition that the $300,000 donation remain anonymous. A few years later he did the same for Annunciation Orthodox High School where he equipped them with MAC computers.

Moriarty’s dedication to the education system didn’t end with his children’s graduations. He not only donated $100,000 to South Texas Law School but also started and currently funds a scholarship for female scholar-athletes at Rice University in honor of its former president’s wife, Gene Hackerman, who had been very involved in promoting female athletics. After attending some of the reward recipients’ events Moriarty became enamored with female athletics and decided to invest in liberating the dreams of Olympic hopefuls. Since first becoming a sponsor, he’s supported Carrie Messner Vickers (3000 meter steeplechase), Sara Mclarty (triathlon), and Shannon Rowbury (Bronze Medalist in the 1500 meters). He currently sponsors 2012 Olympic-hopeful marathon runner, Fiona Docherty and serves as the title sponsor for the DFT women's bike team managed by associate Megan Hottman. He admires the dedication and passion these women have to actively pursue their dreams. Currently he is doggedly advocating for the victims of recent Olympic ticket scandals: Olympic athletes’ parents, siblings, friends, and coaches left “high and dry” without tickets to these once in a lifetime events.

Moriarty’s commitment to social responsibility stretches from the battle field in Vietnam to the Olympic track to the mailbox of unsuspecting recipients. Every year Moriarty brews, cans and mails over 400 jars of fig jam to his family, friends, and triathlete teammates. Everyone has a fond memory of the taste and smell of some family member’s homemade holiday delight. There is definitely something quite therapeutic about receiving Moriarty’s homemade jam and the ensuing pleasure from the release of a memory long tucked away. Social responsibility can take on all forms. Like Moriarty says, “You are only limited by your imagination”.