SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 616
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay
tribute to the Honorable Ben Frank Barnes, former legislator and
lieutenant governor, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, on
April 17, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Ben Barnes was first elected to statewide office
in 1960 at the age of 22; he represented District 73 in the Texas
House of Representatives during the 57th Legislature and went on
to serve in the House for eight years; a charismatic statesman
who quickly became known for his political expertise, he was
elected Speaker of the House at the age of 26, and presided over
the 59th and 60th Legislatures; and
WHEREAS, He ran for lieutenant governor in 1968 at the age
of 30, and in winning that election, he received more votes than
any statewide candidate in Texas history and became the state's
youngest lieutenant governor; and
WHEREAS, During his exceptional legislative service, Ben
Barnes made strides on behalf of progressive causes such as civil
rights and was particularly focused on the funding and
improvement of Texas public and higher education; and
WHEREAS, A highly respected politician and a protégé of
President Lyndon Baines Johnson, he worked hard to create
policies that promoted social justice and was a strong advocate
for the common man; he also had an understanding of the
significant role of business in the state's economy, and he
helped to transform Texas into a hub of high technology; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his valuable legislative leadership
in this state, Ben Barnes distinguished himself on the national
level as a United States representative at a North Atlantic Treaty
Organization conference in Brussels, Belgium, and as a United
Nations representative in Geneva, Switzerland; and
WHEREAS, A man of many talents and great versatility, he
has served as vice chairman of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
Foundation and Library and as a member of the Franklin and
Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and Library, The University of Texas
Development Board, and the Texas Coalition for Excellence in
Higher Education; he is a recipient of the Ellis Island
Congressional Medal of Honor and The University of Texas
Distinguished Alumni Award; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby honor Ben Frank Barnes for his outstanding
contributions to this state and extend to him sincere best wishes
on the occasion of his 75th birthday; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
Ben Barnes as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Watson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 8, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate