HR 174

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