SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 129
In Memory
of
Harry Middleton
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins citizens
across the state in mourning the loss of Harry Middleton, a
beloved Austinite and the former director of the LBJ Presidential
Library, who died January 20, 2017, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 24, 1921, in Centerville, Iowa,
Harry Middleton was known by his friends and colleagues for his
charisma, sense of honor, compassion, and intellectual vigor,
and he was universally regarded as the most distinguished director to
have ever served in the presidential library system; and
WHEREAS, Harry Middleton enlisted in the United States
Army in 1943, and he served for three years during World War II;
he later served for two years as an officer in the Korean War, and
he retired from military duty with the rank of captain; he earned
a degree in journalism from Louisiana State University in Baton
Rouge; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Middleton met President Lyndon Baines Johnson
in 1966 while writing a report for a presidential commission on
the selective service, and he was hired as a presidential staff
assistant the following year; he wrote speeches and congressional
messages for the president for the duration of his term, and he
returned with him to Texas to collaborate on writing and publishing
The Choices We Face and The Vantage Point: Perspectives of the
Presidency, 1963-1969; and
WHEREAS, Often referred to as the "Dean of Presidential
Library Directors," Harry Middleton became the second director
of the LBJ Presidential Library in 1970, and for more than 31
years, he was manager of one of the most celebrated presidential
libraries in the country; in addition to archiving an extensive
collection of historical materials, he advocated for the formal
collaboration between the presidential library and the Lyndon B.
Johnson School of Public Affairs, a partnership that continues
today to promote the development of innovative research and
public education initiatives; in August of 2000, Texas Monthly
described Mr. Middleton as "The Man Who Saved LBJ" for his
decision to publically release President Johnson's recorded
telephone conversations; and
WHEREAS, Harry Middleton was a highly gifted writer who
earned widespread acclaim for his historical and biographical
publications; he received the Presidential Rank of Meritorious
Executive in 1991, and the following year, he was honored with
the Anti-Defamation League's Torch of Liberty Award; in 1994,
Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson established the Harry Middleton Lectureship
to enable the public and students at The University of Texas at
Austin to attend lectures by renowned speakers free of charge; in
2004, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation established the Harry
Middleton Fellowships to support scholarly work in presidential
studies; and
WHEREAS, Harry Middleton was a treasured citizen of Texas
and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather; noted for his
wise counsel and loyalty, he lived a life of great integrity and
purpose, and his legacy at the LBJ Presidential Library will
continue to inspire the highest standards of public engagement
and discourse long into the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Harry Middleton; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Harry Middleton.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 6, 2017, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate