HR174 - Congratulating Cecil V. Newton of Highlands on his 100th birthday.

      H.R. No. 174       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed member of the   Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and Cecil V.   Newton of Highlands is marking this momentous milestone in his life   on March 5, 2025; and          WHEREAS, Born to Ruby and Jessie Newton in 1925, Cecil Newton   grew up on a farm in Highlands; he began working at Exxon at the age   of 18 but received his draft notice in September 1944; before   deploying as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, he married his   fiancée, the former Selma Ruth Waldrep; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Newton served in Germany with the 87th Division,   345th Platoon, Company E, 3rd Squad; after surviving combat at   Koblenz in Germany, he crossed the Rhine at Boppard under heavy fire   and helped clear out snipers; his company nearly reached Berlin by   VE Day and then proceeded to liberate concentration camps;   following demobilization, Mr. Newton remained in the reserve, and   over the years, he maintained warm friendships that he had formed   early in his service; and          WHEREAS, Returning to Exxon in civilian life, Mr. Newton   became a journeyman machinist; he took advantage of the GI Bill to   complete his bachelor's degree cum laude at the University of   Houston in 1959; during a career that spanned more than four decades   with Exxon, he seized every opportunity to learn new things,   earning myriad certificates; his many accomplishments included two   patents, and he gained a reputation as an ace problem solver; he   rose to become a staff engineer in the Baytown Refinery's technical   division; in his free time, he earned his pilot's license; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Newton and his wife raised three children, Judy,   Richard, and Douglas, and through the years, their treasured family   has grown to include four grandchildren and many   great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; the Newtons   were active in Trinity Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, where for   nearly four decades Mr. Newton ran the sound systems and assisted   with radio broadcasts; the couple shared a fulfilling relationship   of 71 years until Mrs. Newton's passing in 2015; and          WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Cecil Newton has   inspired innumerable people through his courage, integrity, and   devotion to his family, and he continues to enrich the lives of all   who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby congratulate Cecil V. Newton on the joyous   occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes   for continued happiness; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for Mr. Newton as an expression of high regard by the Texas   House of Representatives.     Cain     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 174 was adopted by the House on June   1, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House