HR633 - In memory of former state senator and representative Carl Allen Parker of Port Arthur.

      H.R. No. 633       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Former state senator and representative Carl Allen   Parker of Port Arthur passed away on March 22, 2024, at the age of   89, bringing a great loss to his family, his friends, and his   community; and          WHEREAS, A Port Arthur native, Carl Parker was born on   August 6, 1934, to Harvey and Juanita Parker, who encouraged him in   his educational and career ambitions; setting his sights on   becoming an attorney, he attended The University of Texas School of   Law; while in his final year at UT, he met the former Beverly   Stiegler, with whom he exchanged wedding vows in 1960; the couple   shared more than 64 years of marriage, and their cherished family   grew to include three children, Valerie, Chris, and Allen, and four   grandchildren, Andrew, Emma, Peyton, and Tripp; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Parker served as a judge advocate general in the   United States Navy before returning to Port Arthur and joining the   law firm of Long and Parker; at that practice, which later became   The Parker Law Firm, his specialties included criminal defense,   family law, personal injury, and business transactions, and he   enjoyed having the opportunity to use his legal expertise for the   benefit of his friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens in his   hometown; and          WHEREAS, In 1962, Mr. Parker was elected to the first of   eight terms in the Texas House of Representatives, and he again   returned to the statehouse when he won his first bid to the Texas   Senate in 1976; he was a champion for working people as well as a   staunch proponent of public safety, education, and environmental   protection; among a multitude of assignments, he served as chair of   the House committees on judicial districts and penitentiaries, and   he led the Senate committee on education as chair for five   consecutive legislative sessions; when debating fellow   legislators, he was always quick with a retort, but he was known to   cast aside his differences and join former rivals in enacting   measures that he considered worthy; his skill in building consensus   made him a highly effective lawmaker, and during the 1991   legislative session, he secured the passage of a number of bills,   including legislation that provided school funding and that created   a new environmental superagency; and          WHEREAS, Senator Parker concluded his exceptional 32-year   tenure as a state legislator after his sixth term in the Senate in   1995, but he continued to volunteer his time with government   committees and groups that supported education and economic   development; he enjoyed spending his leisure time reading,   woodworking, and contributing op-eds to local newspapers, and he   authored an autobiography to share his experiences and insights   with family and friends; and          WHEREAS, Carl Parker dedicated his long legislative career to   advocating for his constituents and advancing the common good for   the State of Texas, and he leaves behind a legacy of public service   that will continue to inspire all those who had the good fortune to   know him; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of the Honorable Carl   Allen Parker and extend deepest sympathy to all those who mourn his   passing; 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 Carl   Parker.     Johnson     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 633 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on April 9, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House