H.R. No. 34 



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost a distinguished public 
servant with the passing of the Honorable Jack Blanton of 
Carrollton on October 12, 2002, at the age of 81; and
	WHEREAS, Born on January 29, 1921, in Shawnee, Kansas, Mr. 
Blanton moved with his family to Carrollton in 1931 and graduated 
from Carrollton High School in 1938 before entering Southern 
Methodist University; when World War II began, he left college to  
build airstrips for the war effort but returned years later and  
completed his bachelor's degree in history and government in 1955; 
and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Blanton served one term as mayor of Carrollton, 
from 1946 to 1948, and in 1966 he won election to the first of three 
terms in the Texas House of Representatives; during his tenure in 
state government he made many significant contributions, including 
a bill he introduced in 1969 that established The University of 
Texas at Dallas; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his work in the legislature, Mr. 
Blanton devoted his time and energy to a number of worthwhile 
organizations, serving as a Boy Scout leader, member of the Red 
Cross, and president of the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Rotary Club; 
he was also an active congregant at Holy Covenant United Methodist 
Church and a member of the Carrollton and James A. Smith Masonic 
lodges; and
	WHEREAS, The professional experiences of Mr. Blanton were 
myriad and included working for his family business, the Blanton 
Grain Co., as well as on the family farm; he was employed with Lone 
Star Gas while he finished college and served as editor for the 
Carrollton Chronicle and the Carrollton Star; furthermore, he was a 
founder of the First National Bank in Carrollton and a chairman of 
its board of directors; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his career in public service, Jack 
Blanton devoted his efforts to making government work for the 
benefit of all its citizens; although he is gone from us now, his 
legacy of achievement will live on for generations to come; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Jack 
Blanton and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 
his beloved wife of 60 years, Marian Blanton; to his daughters, Joan 
Wood and Mary Watts; to his sister, Betty Sumner; to his brother, 
Bill Blanton; to his six grandchildren; and to his other relatives 
and many friends.

                                                                        Marchant


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 34 was unanimously adopted by a rising 
vote of the House on March 28, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House