Bill Text: TX SR3 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Richard Arvin Overton.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-01-09 - Reported enrolled [SR3 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-SR3-Enrolled.html
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In Memory | ||
of | ||
Richard Arvin Overton | ||
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and | ||
commemorates the life of Richard Arvin Overton, who died | ||
December 27, 2018, at the age of 112; and | ||
WHEREAS, Richard Overton was the country's oldest World War | ||
II veteran and was an exemplary citizen who took pleasure in | ||
helping others and who had a positive impact on his community; | ||
known for his wisdom, kindness, and affable nature, he was an | ||
integral part of the fabric of life in Austin; he could often be | ||
seen sitting at his usual front porch spot greeting neighbors and | ||
visitors with a friendly smile, and the evident joy he | ||
consistently derived from life served as an inspiration to | ||
many; and | ||
WHEREAS, Richard Overton was born on May 11, 1906, in | ||
Bastrop County, to Gentry Overton Sr. and Elizabeth Franklin; he | ||
joined the United States Army in the early 1940s and served the | ||
nation with distinction during World War II as a member of the | ||
188th Engineer Aviation Battalion; he arrived in Pearl Harbor | ||
shortly after the Japanese attack, and he was soon taking part in | ||
the island-hopping campaign and combat in the South Pacific that | ||
included stops in Guam, Palau, and Iwo Jima; and | ||
WHEREAS, After his military service, Mr. Overton returned | ||
to Texas and built his home in East Austin in 1945; he worked for | ||
a time in the furniture business before taking a position with | ||
the Texas Department of the Treasury as a courier at the Capitol, | ||
where he served under four governors before his retirement; and | ||
WHEREAS, Later in his life, he became famous after being | ||
designated the nation's oldest living World War II veteran, and | ||
he was honored by President Barack Obama when he participated in | ||
a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery; he often | ||
made headlines when hosting birthday parties in his front yard | ||
and inviting the public to attend, and much was made of his daily | ||
regimen of cigars and sips of whiskey; in spite of his fame, he | ||
remained humble and continued to help his neighbors by performing | ||
such tasks as trimming trees and cleaning driveways; and | ||
WHEREAS, Admired for his patriotism and beloved for his | ||
warmth, quick wit, and joyful spirit, Richard Overton touched the | ||
lives of many, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the | ||
fullest will not be forgotten by those who were privileged to | ||
know him; and | ||
WHEREAS, He was devoted to his family, his community, and | ||
his country, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured | ||
forever, as well as a legacy of laughter, courage, and service; | ||
now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th | ||
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved | ||
family of Richard Arvin Overton; 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 Richard Overton. | ||
Watson | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on January 9, 2019, by | ||
a rising vote. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |