By Uher                                               H.C.R. No. 56
       74R73 PAN-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of John Travis Potter, Sr., on September
    1-2  6, 1993, at the age of 69, has brought a great loss to the many
    1-3  friends and relatives of this esteemed gentleman; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, A native Texan, he was born September 20, 1923, in
    1-5  Gorman and, as a young man, joined the Army Air Corps in September
    1-6  1941; during World War II, Mr. Potter served gallantly in the 97th
    1-7  Bomber Group and flew 53 missions as the engineer gunner on a B-17
    1-8  in the Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, and Foggia campaigns; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, This highly decorated veteran was honored for his
   1-10  exceptional service to his country as the recipient of the
   1-11  Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with 10
   1-12  Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense
   1-13  Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars for his participation in the
   1-14  European-African-Middle Eastern campaign; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, While stationed in Atlantic City, Mr. Potter met the
   1-16  woman who would become his wife of 49 years, the former Marjorie
   1-17  Eleanor English, and the couple were united in marriage in a
   1-18  ceremony that was proclaimed to be the first all-GI wedding; and
   1-19        WHEREAS, After leaving military service, he began an
   1-20  outstanding career in Texas state government that would span nearly
   1-21  four decades; initially employed with the state auditor's office,
   1-22  Mr. Potter was appointed by Governor Allan Shivers as the finance
   1-23  director for the first Commission on Higher Education and also
   1-24  served as the governor's assistant budget director; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, He went on to distinguish himself as the assistant
    2-2  director of the Texas Legislative Council from 1957 until his
    2-3  retirement in 1978, during which time he organized numerous
    2-4  gubernatorial inaugurations and two national legislative
    2-5  conferences, helped to rewrite the rules of the House of
    2-6  Representatives of the 65th Legislature, and was honored at various
    2-7  times with citations for his meritorious service; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, He maintained a lifelong affiliation with the
    2-9  military, having been elected commander of San Benito VFW Post 2410
   2-10  and later serving as a member of Harlingen VFW Post 9874 following
   2-11  a move to this South Texas community in 1983; in recent years,
   2-12  Mr. Potter also gave generously of his time and talents to serve on
   2-13  the board of directors of the University Preparatory School; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, Throughout his life, John Potter exemplified the
   2-15  highest standards of excellence, dedication, and leadership; though
   2-16  his presence is gone from us now, his unique spirit will surely
   2-17  remain in the hearts of all those who were privileged to know him;
   2-18  now, therefore, be it
   2-19        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-20  hereby pay tribute to the life of John Travis Potter, Sr., and
   2-21  extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife,
   2-22  Marjorie E. Potter of Harlingen; to his sons and daughters-in-law,
   2-23  Travis and Sharon Potter, Jerry and Cathy Potter, and Todd and
   2-24  Christie Potter; to his daughter, Karen Potter; to his brothers,
   2-25  R. W. and Bill Potter; to his mother-in-law, Ruth A. Mickle; to his
   2-26  grandchildren, Clayton L., Sean, Asa James, Kayla Brianna, and
   2-27  Kacee Potter; and to his great-grandson, Leslie K. Potter; and, be
    3-1  it further
    3-2        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-3  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
    3-4  House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
    3-5  memory of John Travis Potter, Sr.