87R17110 BPG-D
 
  By: Darby H.C.R. No. 87
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The citizens of Texas lost an admired public servant
  with the passing of former state representative John Clifford Otto
  on August 1, 2020, at the age of 71; and
         WHEREAS, Born to John and Susan Otto in Dayton on October 14,
  1948, John Otto grew up with two brothers, Calvin and Glenn, and two
  sisters, Susan and Danita; while completing his bachelor's degree
  in accounting at Texas A&M University, he rose to become head drum
  major of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band; he was commissioned as a
  second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served on active and reserve
  duty for eight years; his career as a certified public accountant
  included a five-year tenure with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, and
  Company in Houston and 35 years as the owner of a successful CPA
  practice in Dayton; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Otto served his community in many roles,
  including as a trustee of the Dayton Independent School District
  and as a member of the Dayton City Council; in 2004, he won election
  to the Texas House of Representatives and quickly made his mark; he
  was named Rookie of the Year by Texas Monthly and received similar
  recognition from his peers; over the course of six terms in office,
  he was appointed to numerous committees; his financial acumen made
  him particularly effective as chair of the House Appropriations
  Committee and the Select Committees on Fiscal Stability and
  Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform, as well as vice chair of
  the Ways and Means Committee and member of the Legislative Audit
  Committee; in addition, he served on the Legislative Budget Board;
  among myriad accolades, he received a Fighter for Free Enterprise
  Award from the Texas Association of Business, and he was selected
  for the Legislative Honor Roll by the Texas PTA; and
         WHEREAS, In 2017, Mr. Otto accepted his dream job as
  assistant vice chancellor and director of local government
  relations for The Texas A&M University System; the position allowed
  him to champion the interests of his beloved alma mater while
  continuing to work with his colleagues in the legislature; in July
  2020, in order to acknowledge his ardent support of the Aggie Band,
  the system chancellor organized a virtual ceremony with family,
  friends, and fellow Aggie legislators to announce the naming of the
  drum major's baton in his honor; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Otto married his high school sweetheart, the
  former Nancy Whitman, in December 1969; while helping to raise
  their two sons, Bryan and Jason, he enthusiastically cheered them
  on in sports and ensured they were properly initiated into Aggie
  football fandom; he later had the pleasure of seeing the family grow
  to include six grandchildren, Brendon, Maddie, Hadley, Bailee,
  Emilee, and Malloree; before moving to Bryan-College Station, the
  Ottos sang in the choir at First United Methodist Church in Dayton,
  where Mr. Otto served as treasurer for more than a quarter century;
  and
         WHEREAS, Although John Otto is deeply missed by those he left
  behind, his life stands as an outstanding example of civic
  engagement, and his contributions will be remembered and admired in
  the years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Honorable John Clifford Otto
  and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
  John Otto.