By Brimer H.R. No. 771 76R10666 BE-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Native Texan John Justin is a distinguished 1-2 businessman, rancher, civic leader, and philanthropist, and his 1-3 many efforts in behalf of the Lone Star State indeed merit special 1-4 legislative recognition; and 1-5 WHEREAS, He is part of an impeccably Texan heritage, for his 1-6 grandfather was the founder of Justin Boot Company at Spanish Fort 1-7 on the old Chisholm Trail; Mr. Justin began his career in the boot 1-8 factory, and after attending Texas Christian University he started 1-9 his own enterprise, the Justin Belt Company; and 1-10 WHEREAS, In 1952 he became president of Justin Boot Company, 1-11 and he soon revolutionized the firm's policies, product line, and 1-12 marketing, building Justin into a nationally renowned operation; 1-13 and 1-14 WHEREAS, The Justin Boot, Belt, and Leathergoods Company 1-15 merged with the Acme Brick Company in 1968 to become Justin 1-16 Industries, Inc., and today the corporation is a leader in a 1-17 variety of manufacturing fields, with annual sales of about $450 1-18 million; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Mr. Justin is a familiar figure at trail rides and 1-20 rodeo events across the nation and, as chairman of the fund raising 1-21 committee, he was instrumental in establishing the Will Rogers 1-22 Equestrian Center in Fort Worth; in 1996 a bronze statue of 1-23 Mr. Justin on his favorite horse, Baby Blue, was dedicated outside 1-24 the equestrian center; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Deeply committed to the success and advancement of 2-2 his hometown, Mr. Justin has been an active force in Fort Worth 2-3 politics; he ably served the city and its residents as council 2-4 member, mayor pro-tem, and as mayor from 1961 to 1963; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In addition to working diligently for the city and 2-6 state he so loves, Mr. Justin has distinguished himself as a 2-7 charitable donor and activist of great prominence; he is a 2-8 recipient of the Brotherhood Citation from the National Conference 2-9 of Christians and Jews, and he and his wife, Jane, have been 2-10 presented with the Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club of Fort 2-11 Worth; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Mr. Justin has been inducted into the Texas Business 2-13 Hall of Fame and the State of Texas Hall of Honor, he has won the 2-14 Charles Goodnight Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2-15 Fort Worth Historic Preservation Awards Committee, and he has been 2-16 granted an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Texas 2-17 Wesleyan College; and 2-18 WHEREAS, A fortunate family man as well, Mr. Justin and his 2-19 wife have been blessed with two children, Mary and David, and the 2-20 family's years together have been filled with much love and many 2-21 joyful memories; and 2-22 WHEREAS, Mr. Justin has enjoyed great success and has 2-23 committed himself to sharing that success with others; in doing so 2-24 he has made Texas a better place, and it is a pleasure to recognize 2-25 his efforts at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-27 Legislature hereby commend John Justin for his many contributions 3-1 to the Lone Star State and extend to him warmest best wishes for 3-2 happiness and success in the years to come; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-4 prepared for Mr. Justin as an expression of high regard by the 3-5 Texas House of Representatives.