By Wohlgemuth                                         H.C.R. No. 49
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                             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 he
1-15     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,
 2-1     and established an optometry practice at 110 W. Henderson; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Dr. Jack Burton is highly qualified in the field of
 2-3     optometry, Governor Preston Smith in 1969 appointed him to the
 2-4     State Board of Examiners for Optometry in order to improve the
 2-5     quality of eye care across this state; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, Since his first involvement with state government,
 2-7     Dr. Burton has remained active in civic affairs serving as
 2-8     president of the Texas Optometric Association, Chairman of the
 2-9     Cleburne Industrial Development Foundation, as deacon of the Field
2-10     Street Baptist Church in Cleburne, Board Member for the Johnson
2-11     County Committee on Aging and longtime volunteer for Meals on
2-12     Wheels; moreover, the state was again honored by Dr. Jack Burton's
2-13     service when he was appointed to the State Board on Aging by
2-14     Governor George W. Bush, Jr.; and
2-15           WHEREAS, Dr. Burton's life is a tribute to his wife Mary, his
2-16     children Ms. Kay Kelm of Cleburne, Texas and Rev. Larry Burton of
2-17     Spur, Texas, and the ideals which are so very dear to this great
2-18     state; now, therefore, be it
2-19           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-20     hereby honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Jack Burton and extend
2-21     to him sincere thanks for his service to this state and nation and
2-22     also pray for his continued success and happiness in the future;
2-23     and, be it further
2-24           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-25     prepared for Dr. Burton and his immediate family as an expression
 3-1     of highest regard by the Texas Legislature.