84R33376 JGH-D
By: Hughes H.C.R. No. 137
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the service of his state and
nation has drawn to a close with the death of the Honorable Leo
Berman of Tyler on May 23, 2015, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Leo Berman was born on October 21, 1935; the son of
immigrant parents from Poland and Latvia, he earned his bachelor's
degree in political science from Southern Methodist University and
then embarked upon an outstanding 22-year career in the U.S. Army;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berman graduated first in his class at the
army's Field Artillery School Officer Candidate School, and he also
received diplomas from the army's Air Defense Artillery and Missile
School, Armor School, and Command and General Staff College; he
served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and he held appointment as an
army liaison to Congress for three years; he retired in 1976 at the
rank of lieutenant colonel; and
WHEREAS, This courageous soldier earned numerous military
awards, including three Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service
Medal, nine Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf
cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster,
and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, as
well as the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and the
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal first class; in 2009,
he was promoted to colonel in the Texas State Guard, and his state
awards included the Texas Distinguished Service Medal, the Texas
Outstanding Service Medal, the Texas Medal of Merit, the Texas
Federal Service Medal, and the Texas State Guard Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, Mr. Berman worked
as a public affairs executive for Sun Exploration and Production
Company from 1980 to 1991; he also threw himself into public
service, seeking and winning election to the Arlington City Council
in 1979 and serving six years, including two as mayor pro tem; in
addition, he received gubernatorial appointments to the board of
the Texas Army National Guard Armory and to the Texas Advisory
Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, which he also chaired;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berman first won election to the Texas
Legislature in 1998, and he served seven terms, until 2013; during
his exemplary 14-year tenure as the state representative from
District 6, he chaired the Committee on Elections and the Committee
on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations Subcommittee on
Budget and Oversight and served as vice chair of the Committee on
House Administration; his other committee assignments included
Appropriations, Higher Education, and Government Reform;
Mr. Berman's accomplishments included helping The University of
Texas at Tyler start a nursing program; he was especially attentive
to the concerns of his individual constituents, and he took pride in
the fact that he answered every phone call, e-mail, and letter
personally; and
WHEREAS, A man of strong Christian faith, Leo Berman attended
Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler, where he was a leading lay member;
he also gave generously of his time and talents as a member of the
executive committee of the East Texas Area Council of the Boy Scouts
of America and as a board member of the Bethesda Health Clinic in
Tyler, East Texas Meals on Wheels, Texas College, and the Arc of
Smith County, which named him board member emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Berman's first wife, Cara Sue Hughey Berman,
predeceased him, and later in life, he was fortunate to find love
again with his second wife, Dr. Lou Ann Berman; he was the father of
five children, and he was blessed with seven grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A devoted family man and a dedicated public servant,
Leo Berman fought passionately for the ideals and principles in
which he believed, and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to
inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of Leo Berman and extend sincere
condolences to his wife, Dr. Lou Ann Berman, to his children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and to his other relatives
and 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
the Honorable Leo Berman.