R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, April 9, 2001, is Liberty County Day at the Capitol, 1-2 and it provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the Honorable J. 1-3 C. Zbranek, judge of the 75th State District Court, a Liberty 1-4 resident and former state representative from the county; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan, Judge Zbranek was born in Crosby in 1-6 1930, the second of three sons born to Ladislav and Marie Zbranek; 1-7 fluent in only the Czech language, the young Mr. Zbranek moved with 1-8 his family to eastern Liberty County, where he graduated from 1-9 Hull-Daisetta High School in 1947; and 1-10 WHEREAS, After earning a bachelor's degree from The 1-11 University of Texas in 1952, he served two years in the United 1-12 States Navy, spending part of that time on active duty aboard the 1-13 minesweeper U.S.S. Carmick during the Korean War; and 1-14 WHEREAS, An exceptional sailor, he earned numerous awards for 1-15 his efforts, including the United Nations Service Medal, the 1-16 National Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two battle 1-17 stars, the Korea War Service Medal (Republic of Korea), and the 1-18 Combat Action Ribbon; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Upon completion of his tour of duty in 1954, 1-20 Mr. Zbranek returned to The University of Texas to go to law 1-21 school, where he was a student editor of the Texas Law Review and 1-22 from which he graduated in 1956; it was during his studies that he 1-23 won his first of three elections to the Texas House of 1-24 Representatives; and 2-1 WHEREAS, Mr. Zbranek represented Liberty and Chambers 2-2 counties in the Texas Legislature from 1955 to 1961, and opened his 2-3 law practice in Liberty; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Zbranek was a member of the Lamar University 2-5 Board of Regents from 1973 to 1979 and was the Liberty County 2-6 Democratic Party chairman for 18 years; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Well-known as a leader in the community, Mr. Zbranek 2-8 has been active in a number of local organizations, including the 2-9 Nolan D. Pickett Post 5621 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the 2-10 Hull-Daisetta Alumni Association, and the Liberty County Bar 2-11 Association; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Judge Zbranek won election to the 75th District 2-13 Court in 1990, and has served on the bench for the past decade; he 2-14 has earned the admiration and respect of residents throughout 2-15 Liberty County, and it is a privilege to honor him at this time; 2-16 now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby commend Judge J. C. Zbranek for his notable 2-19 public service and extend to him sincere best wishes for success in 2-20 all of his future endeavors; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for Judge Zbranek as an expression of high regard by the 2-23 Texas House of Representatives. Zbranek _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 706 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House