By Counts                                              H.R. No. 600
         76R11299 JHS-D                           
                                 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.