R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The late Joseph W. Barton proudly served his country 1-2 as a P-51 pilot during World War II, and his distinguished life as 1-3 a patriotic and civic-minded American indeed merits special 1-4 recognition; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Barton was born in Magdalena, New Mexico, on 1-6 October 2, 1922; he graduated from Benjamin High School in 1941 and 1-7 continued his education at the University of Wyoming, where he 1-8 enrolled in math classes necessary to qualify for the U.S. Army 1-9 Air Corps; and 1-10 WHEREAS, After completing his flight training, he served in 1-11 North Africa and Italy as a member of the U.S. Air Force, 325th 1-12 Fighter Group, better known as the Checkertail Clan; this elite 1-13 fighting force was easily identified by the distinctive 1-14 black-and-yellow checkerboard pattern that marked the tails of its 1-15 P-47 and P-51 Mustangs, and the sight of those planes was always 1-16 welcomed by the pilots' comrades in arms; and 1-17 WHEREAS, Mr. Barton was honorably discharged as a 1st 1-18 lieutenant on December 9, 1945, at Fort Sam Houston; this longtime 1-19 Texan soon embarked on a career as a cowman, earning a living as a 1-20 cowboy or ranch foreman, and he enjoyed many successful years as a 1-21 self-employed rancher; and 1-22 WHEREAS, On December 27, 1947, Mr. Barton was united in 1-23 matrimony with the former Pat Barnard, with whom he shared a strong 1-24 and happy marriage that was blessed with a daughter, Jan; his 2-1 lineage now includes two granddaughters, Lorrie Coop and Jennifer 2-2 McNew, and a great-granddaughter, Brittany Coop; and 2-3 WHEREAS, In the years following his military service, 2-4 Mr. Barton served the town of his youth as a member of the Benjamin 2-5 School Board and the Benjamin Water District Board; he pursued his 2-6 lifetime love of flying as a member of the Knox City Flying Club 2-7 and was an admired member of his community; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Those individuals who choose to serve their country 2-9 as members of the armed forces are truly deserving of the respect 2-10 of their fellow citizens, and First Lieutenant Joseph W. Barton 2-11 was indeed such a man; although his passing on October 20, 1992, 2-12 brought a great loss to his family and many friends, Mr. Barton is 2-13 remembered by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, 2-14 be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joseph W. Barton for 2-17 his commitment to the citizens of this state and nation; and, be it 2-18 further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-21 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-22 Joseph W. Barton. Counts _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 600 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 30, 1999. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House