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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Carlton Earl Land of Houston on April 20, 2015, at the |
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age of 72; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Peary and George Ann Land, Carlton Land |
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was born on February 1, 1943, in Jacksonville and raised in Houston; |
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he graduated with honors from Jack Yates Senior High School in 1961 |
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and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force in September of |
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the following year; he served his country with distinction for |
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three decades before retiring with the rank of chief master |
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sergeant in 1992; during his decorated military career, he was |
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awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak |
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leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak |
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leaf clusters; and |
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WHEREAS, On his return to civilian life, Mr. Land joined the |
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Houston Independent School District, where he initiated the Air |
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Force Junior ROTC program at Westbury High School; he was assigned |
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to serve as the lead student advocate in the School Administration |
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Division in 1994, and around that time, he was instrumental in |
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founding a program focused on helping African American and Hispanic |
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male students acquire important social and life skills; |
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additionally, he conducted workshops to address bullying, |
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violence, hazing, gang involvement, and other issues, and he |
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further gave back to area children through his support of the |
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Children's Defense Fund and his work as a popular "Read-Aloud" |
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guest at HYPE Freedom School; and |
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WHEREAS, A devout Christian from a young age, Mr. Land became |
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a member of Promised Land Christian Worship Center Church in 2004 |
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and generously volunteered his time as director of the men's |
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ministry; he earned a bachelor's degree from the College of |
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Biblical Studies in 2005 and was an accomplished writer and |
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sought-after speaker on religious, military, educational, and |
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civic affairs; moreover, he was a prominent member of the Most |
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Worshipful Saint John Grand Lodge and Hadassah Grand Chapter and |
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had served as potentate of Arabia Shrine Temple No. 1; more |
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recently, he had been inducted into the Ancient and Primitive Rite |
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of Memphis-Misraïm, where he had the distinction of receiving his |
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95th degree as Grand Conservator General; and |
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WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman married Betty Jean Riley on |
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October 22, 1966, and shared a rewarding relationship with her |
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until her passing; he was the father of three children, Janice, |
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Gregory, and Carlton, and was further blessed with the |
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companionship of a large extended family and many longtime friends; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Carlton Land inspired countless people with his |
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earnest faith, his desire to make a difference, and his steadfast |
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service to his country and community, and he leaves behind a legacy |
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that will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Carlton Earl Land and |
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extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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children, Janice Barney and Gregory Riley; to his sister and |
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brother, Carolyn and Louis DeVaughn; to his sisters-in-law, Shirley |
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Land, Iola Fogle, and Diane Riley; to his brother-in-law, Luther |
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Burrell; to his special friend, Gail Revis; and to his other |
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relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Carlton |
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Land. |