==Background==
In 1954, Harris received his Bachelor of Science degree in [[political science]] from the University of North Texas in Denton. Upon graduation, he entered the [[United States Air Force]], where he was an instructor pilot until his honorable discharge with the rank of [[captain]] in 1957. He then entered the Dedman School of Law at [[Southern Methodist University]], at which he served as president of the law school and the student body. Harris assumed the nickname "Ike" from an older brother while he was seeking the SMU student body presidency. This may have been in acknowledgement of [[U.S. President]] [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], a native-born Texan also referred to by that appellation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalhottubparty.blogspot.com/2007/06/since-early-70s-texas-monthly-has.html|title=It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times|date=June 14, 2007|author=Billy Clyde|publisher=politicalhottubparty.blogspot.com|accessdate=January 29, 2020}}</ref> Harris was affiliated with Cycen Fjodr, a men's honorary society; Barristers, a legal honorary society, and he was listed among ''Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities.''<ref name=bio/>
==Legislative service==