H.R. No. 772
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Martin Frost, who represented the 24th
Congressional District of Texas for 26 years, has rendered
exceptional service to the people of the Dallas/Fort Worth
Metroplex, as well as to citizens across this state and nation; and
WHEREAS, Inspired to enter politics by the civil rights
movement, Congressman Frost was first elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives in 1978; widely respected for his political acumen
and his effectiveness as a legislator, he served as chairman of the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee from 1995 to 1999, as
chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the third-ranking
leadership position for house Democrats, from 1999 to 2003, and as
the ranking Democratic member of the House Rules Committee from
2001 to 2005; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure in Washington, Congressman Frost
authored successful legislation to create the national AMBER Alert
network to inform the public immediately about incidents of child
abduction; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Frost also took the lead in winning
approval and funds for the establishment of the Dallas-Fort Worth
National Cemetery, the first national veterans' cemetery in North
Texas, which was dedicated in May 2000; throughout his career, he
advocated for pay raises and better housing and living conditions
in behalf of members of the U.S. armed forces; moreover, he authored
and passed legislation that makes it easier for immigrants serving
in the American military to become U.S. citizens; and
WHEREAS, A strong supporter of North Texas defense projects,
Martin Frost was an equally stalwart champion of economic
development and job retention and creation in the Dallas/Fort Worth
region; in addition, he played a key role in securing funds for
continued expansion and safety upgrades at the Dallas/Fort Worth
International Airport and for the construction of the Dallas Area
Rapid Transit system; he was also instrumental in securing a new
highway interchange along Interstate 30 as part of the Pinnacle
Park development; and
WHEREAS, After the end of the Cold War, he chaired a special
house task force to help the parliaments of Eastern and Central
Europe make the transition from communism to democracy; and
WHEREAS, Among the well-deserved honors conferred on him have
been the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce and the National Security Leadership Award from the
American Security Council; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Frost grew up in Fort Worth and
graduated from Paschal High School; he received a journalism degree
from the University of Missouri in 1964 and completed a law degree
at the Georgetown Law Center in 1970; following his return to
Dallas, he clerked for U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes and then
practiced law until his election to the U.S. Congress; and
WHEREAS, Martin Frost is married to Major General Kathy
George Frost, the highest ranking woman in the U.S. Army; he has
three daughters and three granddaughters; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of 13 terms in the U.S. Congress,
this esteemed Texan represented his constituents with consummate
skill and untiring devotion, and the legacy of his achievements
will touch the lives of generations of Texans yet to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Honorable Martin Frost for his
illustrious record as a member of the United States Congress and
extend to him profound appreciation for his many years of dedicated
service to the Lone Star State; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Congressman Frost as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Anchia
Veasey
Alonzo
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 772 was adopted by the House on March
23, 2005, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House