H.R. No. 34
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Memories of joyful times and meaningful
  accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Harlon
  Brooks of Nacogdoches, who passed away on August 20, 2023, at the
  age of 79; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Gaylon and Topsie Brooks, Harlon Brooks
  was born in Nacogdoches on December 19, 1943, and he grew up with
  the companionship of four sisters, Rose, Ella, Anita, and Mary; he
  graduated from E. J. Campbell High School in 1961; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks married his high school sweetheart,
  Alfreddie, and the couple shared many happy years together until
  his passing; they were blessed with two children, Candace and
  Marlon, and their treasured family eventually grew to include five
  grandchildren, Gabriel, Jordan, Michael, Isaac, and Jacob; and
         WHEREAS, Together with his wife and two of his friends,
  Mr. Brooks founded Harlon's BBQ in Houston in 1977; the restaurant
  originally operated out of a former gas station in the South Park
  neighborhood, and it later became one of the first Black-owned
  businesses to establish sites at major airports and to serve as a
  food vendor at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; over the years,
  the business grew to include more than two dozen locations across
  Texas before it closed its physical stores and transitioned to
  special events catering; in 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks retired to
  their hometown of Nacogdoches, where they purchased several local
  enterprises; and
         WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks was involved in a number of organizations
  and events throughout his life, including the Texas Blueberry
  Festival, Concerned Black Men of Nacogdoches, RodeoHouston, and the
  Wings Over Houston Airshow, and he was an active member of Iron
  Wheel Baptist Church; among his many honors, he received the
  African American Business Achievement Pinnacle Award from the
  Greater Houston Black Chamber in 2000; and
         WHEREAS, Harlon Brooks lived a rich and purposeful life
  centered around his family, his work, and his community, and he will
  long be remembered with deep admiration and affection by all who
  were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
  of Harlon Brooks 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Harlon
  Brooks.
 
  Clardy
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 34 was unanimously adopted by a rising
  vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House