78R9645 MDM-D

By:  Hope                                                         H.R. No. 606



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, A half century of marriage is truly cause for 
celebration and on April 6, 2003, Raleigh and Jackie Barker of April 
Sound are marking that joyous event in their lives; and
	WHEREAS, The couple met at a Kansas City, Missouri, 
Presbyterian church where both were active congregants; they 
married in that church on April 24, 1953, and take great pride in 
their son, Keith Allen Barker, and his wife, Elisabeth, their 
daughter, Kay Schwob, and her husband, Mark, and their 
grandchildren, Rebecca and Isabel Barker and Heaston and Hunter 
Schwob; and
	WHEREAS, During her college career, Mrs. Barker took classes 
toward a degree in English language and literature at the 
University of Missouri--Kansas City, later wrote for several 
newspapers when she moved to Montgomery County, and ultimately 
became a writer for the Houston Chronicle's This Week in Montgomery 
County neighborhood section; over the course of 12 years, she has 
written more than 2,000 articles and earned numerous awards for her 
excellence in writing; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Barker grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian 
Reservation in Denby, South Dakota, where his family operated a 
general store founded by his grandfather; after high school, he 
served his country in the Philippines as a member of the Signal 
Company of the United States Army's 31st Dixie Division; and
	WHEREAS, Following his military discharge, Mr. Barker 
resumed classes at the University of Nebraska, from which he 
received a bachelor's degree; he pursued graduate studies, then 
relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, for employment with an 
accounting firm while he attained his CPA certification; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Barker and his family were transferred to Texas 
during his 30-year career with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company, 
and at the time of his retirement in 1988, he held the post of 
manager of corporate reporting; with his wife, he moved to April 
Sound, near Montgomery, and the couple continue an active lifestyle 
that includes an array of civic endeavors; and
	WHEREAS, A charter member of the Lake Conroe Area Republican 
Women, whose board she has served in various capacities, Mrs. 
Barker has led the Friends of West Branch Library as president, 
worked on a countywide committee that helped upgrade the library 
system, and shared her time in various offices with the Montgomery 
County Performing Arts Society; for her exemplary volunteerism, she 
was named Woman of the Year in 1995 by the April Sound Ladies 
Association; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Barker has shared his time and resources as a 
patron of the arts in Montgomery County and served as an officer in 
the Kiwanis Club of Lake Conroe and the April Sound Church; a member 
of two duplicate bridge clubs, he plays in tournaments throughout 
the state and generously offers his professional accounting 
assistance to benefit nonprofit organizations; and
	WHEREAS, This devoted couple have shared many happy times and 
cherished family memories during their five decades together; their 
commitment to each other is a source of inspiration to their loved 
ones, and it is a pleasure to join in saluting them for their 
enduring union; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Raleigh and Jackie Barker on the 
memorable occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, and extend 
to them warmest wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Barker as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.