By Pitts                                         H.R. No. 111

      75R5342 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The family and friends of Larry L. Barton were

 1-2     deeply saddened by the passing of this distinguished gentleman on

 1-3     December 7, 1996, at the age of 71; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Barton was born December 17,

 1-5     1924, in Iredell; after graduating from high school in Whitney, he

 1-6     attended Tarleton State University for two years before enlisting

 1-7     in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Mr. Barton distinguished himself as a navigator in

 1-9     the 15th Air Corps, 454th Bombardment Group, 738th Bomb Squadron,

1-10     flying 35 missions; his dedicated service to his country earned him

1-11     the rank of first lieutenant, as well as the Distinguished Flying

1-12     Cross and the Air Medal; and

1-13           WHEREAS, On his return to Texas, Mr. Barton entered Texas

1-14     A&M University, and after his graduation in 1947 he began a long

1-15     association with the Ford Machinery Corporation of America; it was

1-16     also at this time that he entered into an even more significant and

1-17     long-lived relationship, taking the former Nell Buice as his bride;

1-18     and

1-19           WHEREAS, The Bartons soon set about the worthwhile task of

1-20     creating a home and family; in the years that followed they were

1-21     blessed with three sons and a daughter, and the high standards of

1-22     behavior that Mr. Barton instilled in his children continue to

1-23     inspire them as adults; and

1-24           WHEREAS, In 1964, Mr. Barton began work as a registered plant

 2-1     breeder for Rogers Delinted Cottonseed in Waco, and it was in this

 2-2     capacity that he developed an edible glandless cotton seed, an

 2-3     achievement duplicated by only a handful of researchers nationwide;

 2-4     and

 2-5           WHEREAS, A member of Central United Methodist Church in Waco,

 2-6     Mr. Barton drew lifelong inspiration from his faith, and his

 2-7     involvement in the church was characterized by the same quiet

 2-8     strength that he brought to all his endeavors; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Larry L. Barton will long be remembered as a loving

2-10     husband and father, a dedicated researcher, and a devout member of

2-11     his congregation, and it is appropriate that his memory be honored

2-12     at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-14     Legislature hereby honor the life of Larry L. Barton and extend

2-15     sincere sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife, Nell

2-16     Buice Barton; to his sons and daughters-in-law, U.S. Representative

2-17     Joe Barton and Janet Barton, J. and Judy Barton, and Jon and

2-18     Jennifer Barton; to his daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Mike

2-19     Gerro; to his brothers, Don Barton, Jack Barton, and Tom Barton; to

2-20     his grandchildren; and to all the relatives and many friends of

2-21     this esteemed Texan; and, be it further

2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-23     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas

2-24     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-25     Larry L.  Barton.