By Zbranek                                             H.R. No. 706
         77R11595 JKB-F                           
                                 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.