H.R. No. 1114



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, J. L. "Pete" Peters of Arlington died on January 21, 
2003, at the age of 79, but he will long be remembered by those who 
were privileged to share his affection and friendship over the 
course of his full and generous life; and
	WHEREAS, This native Texan was born February 1, 1923, in the 
town of Yoakum in Lavaca County; Mr. Peters was the son and grandson 
of immigrants from the Czech province of Moravia, John and Janie 
Walden Peters and Johnnes and Johanna Peters, and he was the first 
family member of his generation to be born in America; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Peters developed a reputation as a hard worker 
at a young age while employed in his parents' grocery store in 
Yoakum; after graduating from Yoakum High School in 1937, he worked 
for the National Youth Administration in Houston during the Great 
Depression and soon became a committed Democrat, having witnessed 
firsthand the positive power of government action to change lives 
for the better; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Peters sought his higher education at Iowa Tech, 
but interrupted his studies to serve in the Army Air Corps during 
World War II; based in Hawaii, he worked as an industrial specialist 
for the War Department, and continued to serve the people of the 
United States after the war through progressively responsible 
positions in the Department of Defense; and
	WHEREAS, A Master Mason for more than four decades and a 
resident of Arlington for the past 28 years, Mr. Peters gave 
generously of his time and talents in support of various community 
organizations, including the Arlington Little Theatre; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Peters had a true passion for agriculture and 
horticulture, and he was a longtime member of the Arlington Garden 
Club and a valuable resource for family and friends who sought out 
his input on landscaping, gardening, and small farming projects; 
and
	WHEREAS, A lifelong learner and avid reader, Mr. Peters 
amassed an extensive personal library, which he donated to the Carl 
and Mary Welhausen Library in his hometown of Yoakum so that his 
collection could be enjoyed by all; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman's wit, charm, passion, 
advice, counsel, and encouragement was a source of strength for his 
family and friends and positively affected the lives of countless 
others; and
	WHEREAS, Pete Peters was the kind of man that is hard to find, 
difficult to take leave from, and impossible to forget, and it is 
most appropriate to honor his memory at this time; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of J. L. "Pete" Peters 
and extend deepest sympathy to his wife, Bess Baker Peters, and to 
his other loved ones, including Don and Sandra Kay Peters, Rodger 
and Glai-Shan Peters, Myrna and Richard Ranck, Mike and Ann Cook, 
Pat Woods, Alan Keel, D. Don and Norma Peters, his nine 
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and his other 
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. L. 
"Pete" Peters.

                                                                          Dunnam


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1114 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 23, 2003.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House