H.R. No. 150

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Former State Representative Thomas Jefferson "Tom"
	Martin Jr. passed away on October 30, 2023, at the age of 88,
	bringing a great loss to his family and friends; and
	WHEREAS, The son of Alberta Martin and T. J. "Jeff" Martin
	Sr., Tom Martin was born in Poteet on April 2, 1935; when he was
	small, his family moved from Christine to George West to be closer
	to the "big ranch," La Campana; after graduating from George West
	High School, he decided to see some of the country, attending Texas
	A&M University-Kingsville, the University of Nevada, and Kent State
	University in Ohio; he completed his education at Oklahoma Baptist
	University, where he met his future wife, the former Jean Jones;
	their 54-year marriage was made even richer with the addition of a
	daughter, Angela, and a son, T. J. "Jeff" Martin III; eventually,
	their treasured family grew to include two grandchildren, T. J. and
	Ray, the sixth generation of Martins in McMullen County; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Martin went to work with his father, managing
	La Campana, which at one time extended over Live Oak, McMullen, and
	Duval Counties, along with two smaller ranches, the Lopez in
	Atascosa County and the Lawhorn in northern McMullen County; one of
	the original advocates for the Santa Gertrudis Breeders
	International cattle association, he won numerous awards for his
	success in advancing "America's original beef breed"; and
	WHEREAS, In 1976, Mr. Martin won election to the Texas House
	of Representatives; during two terms in office, he served on a
	number of committees, including Agriculture and Livestock, Energy
	Resources, and the House Joint Committee on the State Energy Plan;
	he was chair of the Energy Resources Subcommittee on Appropriative
	Matters and vice chair of the Environmental Affairs Subcommittee on
	Pollution Control; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Martin were enthusiastic world
	travelers, and they went scuba diving in the South Pacific, cruised
	the Nile, and explored European castles; an avid reader as well,
	Mr. Martin was particularly interested in architecture, history,
	and following his favorite basketball, baseball, and football
	teams; he was preceded in death by his wife and his sister, Alberta
	"Bette" Mason, as well as his parents; and
	WHEREAS, Tom Martin touched the lives of innumerable people
	through his generosity and compassion, and although he is deeply
	missed, his family and friends will forever treasure their memories
	of his thoughtful nature, his wry sense of humor, and the honor and
	humility with which he carried himself; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
	the Honorable Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Martin Jr. and extend sincere
	sympathy to the members of his family: Angela Martin, Chantel
	Foretich, Jeff Martin III, Melaine Martin, Jamie Locke, Glenda
	Locke, T. J. Martin IV, and Ray Martin; and to his many other
	relatives and 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 Tom Martin.
	Guillen
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 150 was unanimously adopted by a
	rising vote of the House on November 7, 2023.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House