HR1240 - In memory of Carlton Carl of Martindale.

      H.R. No. 1240       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Carlton Carl of Martindale, an admired wordsmith,   philanthropist, entrepreneur, and friend to many, passed away on   March 25, 2025, at the age of 79; and          WHEREAS, The son of Claudia and Urbane Carl, Carlton Carl was   born in Houston on September 20, 1945, and grew up with an older   brother, Colin; he graduated from Columbia University and went on   to earn his master's degree from the institution's renowned   journalism school; at the age of 26, he was appointed press   secretary to then-governor Preston Smith; two years later, he   joined the staff of Texas House Speaker Price Daniel Jr.; he   subsequently worked on or ran campaigns for such Democratic Party   legends as Bob Bullock and Ann Richards; in 1983, he moved to   Washington, D.C., as press secretary to U.S. Representative John   Bryant, of Dallas, Texas, a close friend; he later became vice   president of communications, policy, and strategy for the American   Association for Justice, the national organization of trial lawyers   dedicated to seeking civil redress for workers and consumers; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Carl's love of small-town Texas drew him back to   the state in the mid-2000s, when he sold his townhome in   Washington, D.C., to take on the mission of revitalizing old   downtown Martindale; after purchasing three vacant general stores,   a decommissioned bank, and multiple other parcels, he became a   friend, mentor, and supporter, as well as landlord, to many local   business owners; he was instrumental in establishing the library   and organizing a variety of community-building events and   initiatives; fascinated by the town's heritage, he became a   founding member of the Martindale Historic Preservation Commission   and helped create the historic district; his efforts facilitated   Martindale's rise as a top choice of movie and television location   scouts seeking a classic turn-of-the-20th-century site; along the   way, he was recruited as CEO and publisher of the Texas Observer , a   revered bastion of progressive and investigative journalism; he   went on to serve the publication as a proofreader and, until his   death, a member of the board of its governing nonprofit; devoted to   his family, he enthusiastically followed all their activities and   interests; and          WHEREAS, Through his wide-ranging endeavors, Carlton Carl   made a meaningful difference in the world around him, and his warmth   and generosity will remain a source of inspiration to all who were   privileged 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 Carlton Carl and   extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his nephew   and nieces, Daniel, Rebecca, Eleanor, and Elisabeth Carl; to his   grandnephews and grandniece, Amoni, Jude, Zev, Zia, Porter,   Theodore, and Emet; to his sister-in-law, Glenda Carl; and to his   other relatives and host of 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 adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Carlton   Carl.     Bryant     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 1240 was unanimously adopted by a   rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House