HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is proud to honor Dr. Jack
 1-2     Burton for a life that is devoted to family, community, and
 1-3     country; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Dr. Jack Burton bravely served his country during
 1-5     World War II as an Army Air Corps B-29 pilot, logging 35 combat
 1-6     missions from Guam to Japan; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, In his capacity as a B-29 pilot, Dr. Jack Burton
 1-8     saved the lives of his bomber crew by risking his own life in
 1-9     action over Shizouda, Japan, for which he was awarded the Silver
1-10     Star; moreover, he earned two distinguished flying crosses for
1-11     exceptional bravery in the face of perilous circumstances in his
1-12     service to the United States of America; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Upon returning from the South Pacific in 1945,
1-14     Dr. Burton married Ms. Mary Barnett, his college sweetheart, whom
1-15     he had met at Texas Christian University; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Soon after his marriage to Ms. Barnett, the young
1-17     family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, so Dr. Burton could attend
1-18     Southern College of Optometry in order to obtain a degree in
1-19     Optometry; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Dr. Burton, after graduating from Southern College
1-21     of Optometry, returned to Cleburne, Texas, the town of his birth,
1-22     and established an optometry practice at 110 W. Henderson; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Dr. Jack Burton is highly qualified in the field of
1-24     optometry, and Governor Preston Smith in 1969 appointed him to the
 2-1     State Board of Examiners for Optometry in order to improve the
 2-2     quality of eye care across this state; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, Since his first involvement with state government,
 2-4     Dr. Burton has remained active in civic affairs, serving as
 2-5     president of the Texas Optometric Association, chairman of the
 2-6     Cleburne Industrial Development Foundation, deacon of the Field
 2-7     Street Baptist Church in Cleburne, board member for the Johnson
 2-8     County Committee on Aging, and longtime volunteer for Meals on
 2-9     Wheels; moreover, the state was again honored by Dr. Jack Burton's
2-10     service when he was appointed to the State Board on Aging by
2-11     Governor George W. Bush, Jr.; and
2-12           WHEREAS, Dr. Burton's life is a tribute to his wife, Mary; to
2-13     his children, Ms. Kay Kelm of Cleburne, Texas, and Rev. Larry
2-14     Burton of Spur, Texas; and to the ideals which are so very dear to
2-15     this great state; now, therefore, be it
2-16           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-17     hereby honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Jack Burton and extend
2-18     to him sincere thanks for his service to this state and nation and
2-19     also pray for his continued success and happiness in the future;
2-20     and, be it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for Dr. Burton and his immediate family as an expression
2-23     of highest regard by the Texas Legislature.
                                                                  Wohlgemuth
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.C.R. No. 49 was adopted by the House on
         January 28, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.C.R. No. 49 was adopted by the Senate on
         January 28, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor