TITLE: Recognizing La Juana Dianne Barton for 30 years of service in the office of Senator Royce West.

SUMMARY: Recognizing La Juana Dianne Barton for 30 years of service in the office of Senator Royce West.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize La Juana Dianne Barton on her distinguished career and on her three decades of loyal service in the office of Senator Royce West; and WHEREAS, La Juana Barton serves as chief of staff to Senator West, and she has served as a staff member in the senator's Austin and Dallas offices since beginning her employment on March 26, 1993; in the course of her tenure with the office, she has held a number of positions, including district office manager, Dallas chief of staff, and senior policy analyst for the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education; and WHEREAS, The eldest child of Charles and Patricia Butcher-Barton, La Juana was born in Dallas and graduated from Franklin D. Roosevelt High School; she grew up in Dallas, and she studied business and marketing at Amber University in Garland in addition to attending The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations with a minor in English; and WHEREAS, An intelligent and determined individual with an uncompromising work ethic, La Juana has served as president and owner of L. D. Barton Public Relations in Dallas since 1988; she has worked with a variety of well-known companies and organizations through her business and has also served as an account executive and operations manager in communications and public relations positions; and WHEREAS, Over the course of her career, La Juana has received a number of prestigious accolades in recognition of her professional achievements and her contributions to education and public policy; in 2021, she was honored with the Fourth Annual Texas Educational Policy Institute Award and with the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators Award from the Governance in Education Symposium; she was named a recipient of the 2022 Unsung Hero Award by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and she has been honored to receive the Yellow Rose of Texas Award from Governor Ann Richards and the Mamie Elizabeth Williams Humanitarian Award; and WHEREAS, La Juana is an exemplary citizen and an active member of her community, and she is a devoted congregant of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas; in her free time, she enjoys traveling and socializing with friends and pursues a variety of creative interests and endeavors, which include photography, art, and design as well as her work as a talented and accomplished writer; and WHEREAS, Diligent and resourceful, La Juana Barton has long been an indispensable member of the staff of Senator Royce West, and she has fulfilled the wide-ranging responsibilities and challenges of each of her roles with dedication, fortitude, and grace; her prudent judgment, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have long been admired and appreciated by Senator West and by her colleagues and staff, and it is indeed fitting that she receive special recognition in honor of the 30th anniversary of her employment and on her invaluable contributions to the office of Senator West; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby commend La Juana Dianne Barton on her 30 years of outstanding service to the office of Senator Royce West and extend to her congratulations on achieving this exceptional milestone in her career and best wishes in all of her endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. West President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 28, 2023.