TITLE: In memory of Harry Joseph Middleton of Austin.

SUMMARY: In memory of Harry Joseph Middleton of Austin.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Texans are mourning the loss of Harry Joseph Middleton of Austin, the longtime director of the LBJ Presidential Library, who died on January 20, 2017, at the age of 95; and WHEREAS, Born in Centerville, Iowa, on October 24, 1921, Harry Middleton grew up in Topeka, Kansas; he interrupted his education at Washburn University during World War II to enlist in the United States Army and later completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Louisiana State University; subsequently, he reported for the Associated Press in New York and served again as an officer in the Korean War; and WHEREAS, Mr. Middleton met President Lyndon Baines Johnson in the course of writing a report for a presidential commission, and he joined the administration as a staff assistant in 1967; over the next two years, he wrote many memorable speeches for the president and drafted messages to Congress advocating for new legislation; he continued to work for President Johnson as a special assistant following his return to Texas and worked on two books with him, The Choices We Face and The Vantage Point: Perspectives of the Presidency;and WHEREAS, At the request of President Johnson, Mr. Middleton took on leadership of the library before it opened in 1971; although he had no experience as an archivist, he proved a visionary in the field, making the library a vibrant center for history and public affairs scholarship with frequent policy symposiums, notable speakers, and compelling exhibits; he promoted transparency by moving to declassify presidential papers and by preserving and releasing recordings of conversations that shed new light on the Johnson presidency; for three decades, he set the standard for excellence, gaining wide recognition as "the Dean of Presidential Librarians"; and WHEREAS, From 1993 until 2004, Mr. Middleton also served as executive director of the LBJ Foundation, and he became a mentor to generations of aspiring public officials; he was an original proponent of the dynamic partnership between the library and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas, and beginning in 2003, he taught a popular honors course at UT, The Johnson Years; he also wrote a number of books, among them The Compact History of the Korean War,LBJ: The White House Years,and Lady Bird Johnson: A Life Well-Lived;the LBJ Foundation established the Harry Middleton Fellowships in his honor, and his myriad accolades further included the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive, the Anti-Defamation League's Torch of Liberty Award, and The University of Texas Presidential Citation; and WHEREAS, Mr. Middleton shared a rewarding marriage with his wife, Miriam, until her passing in 2004; he was the proud father of Susan Hoyle, Deborah Sansom, James Middleton, and Jennifer O'Dell and grandfather of Joshua Hoyle, Monica O'Dell Shields, Lindsay O'Dell, and Reed O'Dell; and WHEREAS, A man of tremendous wisdom and integrity, Harry Middleton devoted himself to advancing the highest ideals of public service, and his remarkable contributions will continue to resonate in Texas and the nation for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Harry Joseph Middleton and extend deep condolences to all who mourn his passing; 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 Harry Middleton. Wu Howard Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 351 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 23, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House