By Bosse H.C.R. No. 93
75R5487 SAJ-D
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of the Honorable Erwin Barton on
1-2 February 1, 1997, at the age of 65, has brought a great loss to the
1-3 many friends and relatives of this distinguished Pasadena resident
1-4 and former member of the Texas House of Representatives; and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Representative Barton contributed to
1-6 his state and community in myriad ways, and Texas is truly a better
1-7 place because of his active involvement; and
1-8 WHEREAS, He will long be remembered for his outstanding
1-9 service to his fellow citizens as an esteemed member of the Texas
1-10 House of Representatives from 1979 to 1993, in which capacity he
1-11 effectively addressed a host of important concerns both as chairman
1-12 of the Human Services Committee and as a member of the Higher
1-13 Education and the Liquor Regulation committees; and
1-14 WHEREAS, One of Representative Barton's greatest legislative
1-15 accomplishments was the passage of a bill to consolidate 11
1-16 separate human service agencies into the current Texas Department
1-17 of Health; as a result of this legislation, the agency has been
1-18 able to provide more effective and efficient service to those in
1-19 need; and
1-20 WHEREAS, Throughout his remarkable tenure, he demonstrated an
1-21 abiding commitment to issues affecting the family; he sponsored
1-22 legislation to help displaced workers and their families regain
1-23 their independence by providing education, job training, and
1-24 employment, and he helped to ensure the health and safety of
2-1 countless Texans by requiring child care facilities and nursing
2-2 homes to conduct criminal background checks on prospective
2-3 employees; and
2-4 WHEREAS, An outspoken advocate for education issues as well,
2-5 Representative Barton developed an initiative to identify and
2-6 provide appropriate education programs for students with learning
2-7 disabilities or hearing or vision impairment, and his outstanding
2-8 efforts in this regard have helped to expand opportunities for many
2-9 Texans; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Representative Barton's involvement also extended to
2-11 law enforcement issues, for he worked on legislation to ensure a
2-12 high standard in the qualifications of police officers and
2-13 firefighters and was instrumental in securing fair wages and
2-14 adequate pension for those public servants; he actively supported a
2-15 host of environmental issues as well, creating a registry to
2-16 determine the effect of air and water pollution on cancer rates and
2-17 carrying the first bill to prohibit cigarette smoking in all public
2-18 buildings; and
2-19 WHEREAS, This respected statesman continued to give
2-20 generously of his time and talents in behalf of all Americans as an
2-21 esteemed member of the National Conference of State Legislators'
2-22 State and Federal Assembly, and during his years in public office,
2-23 he received numerous citations for his stalwart service to his
2-24 fellow citizens; and
2-25 WHEREAS, Representative Barton upheld the highest ideals of
2-26 our citizen legislature; throughout his noteworthy tenure, he
2-27 worked for Simpson Paper Company in Pasadena to support his family,
3-1 and used his leave time to serve in the Texas Legislature, having
3-2 skillfully managed his work schedule so that he never missed a vote
3-3 at the State Capitol; and
3-4 WHEREAS, He continued to contribute to his state and
3-5 community outside of public office as an active member of several
3-6 organizations, including the American Legion Post No. 521, the
3-7 Pasadena Palmer Drug Abuse Center, the local chapter of the
3-8 American Red Cross, the Texas Cancer Council, and St. Pius V
3-9 Catholic Church; and
3-10 WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he was sustained by his
3-11 abiding commitment to his family, and his devotion to his wife,
3-12 children, and grandchildren was a source of inspiration to all who
3-13 knew him; and
3-14 WHEREAS, A man of immense vision, Erwin Barton dedicated much
3-15 of his life to the betterment of his community and state, and
3-16 though he will be missed by all who knew him, his spirit will
3-17 surely live on in the many accomplishments he leaves behind; now,
3-18 therefore, be it
3-19 RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-20 hereby honor the memory of former State Representative Erwin Barton
3-21 and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
3-22 beloved wife of 44 years, Helen Schoener Barton; to his daughters
3-23 and sons-in-law, Denise and Greg Metzgar, Donna and Kenneth
3-24 Tarrance, and Carol and Mark Jetter; to his five grandchildren; and
3-25 to the many other friends and relatives of this eminent Texan;
3-26 and, be it further
3-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-1 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
4-2 House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so
4-3 in memory of the Honorable Erwin Barton.