H.R. No. 34

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Memories of joyful times and meaningful
	accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of Harlon
	Brooks of Nacogdoches, who passed away on August 20, 2023, at the
	age of 79; and
	WHEREAS, The son of Gaylon and Topsie Brooks, Harlon Brooks
	was born in Nacogdoches on December 19, 1943, and he grew up with
	the companionship of four sisters, Rose, Ella, Anita, and Mary; he
	graduated from E. J. Campbell High School in 1961; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks married his high school sweetheart,
	Alfreddie, and the couple shared many happy years together until
	his passing; they were blessed with two children, Candace and
	Marlon, and their treasured family eventually grew to include five
	grandchildren, Gabriel, Jordan, Michael, Isaac, and Jacob; and
	WHEREAS, Together with his wife and two of his friends,
	Mr. Brooks founded Harlon's BBQ in Houston in 1977; the restaurant
	originally operated out of a former gas station in the South Park
	neighborhood, and it later became one of the first Black-owned
	businesses to establish sites at major airports and to serve as a
	food vendor at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; over the years,
	the business grew to include more than two dozen locations across
	Texas before it closed its physical stores and transitioned to
	special events catering; in 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks retired to
	their hometown of Nacogdoches, where they purchased several local
	enterprises; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Brooks was involved in a number of organizations
	and events throughout his life, including the Texas Blueberry
	Festival, Concerned Black Men of Nacogdoches, RodeoHouston, and the
	Wings Over Houston Airshow, and he was an active member of Iron
	Wheel Baptist Church; among his many honors, he received the
	African American Business Achievement Pinnacle Award from the
	Greater Houston Black Chamber in 2000; and
	WHEREAS, Harlon Brooks lived a rich and purposeful life
	centered around his family, his work, and his community, and he will
	long be remembered with deep admiration and affection by all who
	were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
	of Harlon Brooks and extend sincere condolences to his loved ones;
	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 Harlon
	Brooks.
	Clardy
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 34 was unanimously adopted by a rising
	vote of the House on November 1, 2023.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House