TITLE: In memory of Carlton Earl Land of Houston.

SUMMARY: In memory of Carlton Earl Land of Houston.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A rich and purposeful life drew to a close with the passing of Carlton Earl Land of Houston on April 20, 2015, at the age of 72; and WHEREAS, The son of Peary and George Ann Land, Carlton Land was born on February 1, 1943, in Jacksonville and raised in Houston; he graduated with honors from Jack Yates Senior High School in 1961 and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force in September of the following year; he served his country with distinction for three decades before retiring with the rank of chief master sergeant in 1992; during his decorated military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; and WHEREAS, On his return to civilian life, Mr. Land joined the Houston Independent School District, where he initiated the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Westbury High School; he was assigned to serve as the lead student advocate in the School Administration Division in 1994, and around that time, he was instrumental in founding a program focused on helping African American and Hispanic male students acquire important social and life skills; additionally, he conducted workshops to address bullying, violence, hazing, gang involvement, and other issues, and he further gave back to area children through his support of the Children's Defense Fund and his work as a popular "Read-Aloud" guest at HYPE Freedom School; and WHEREAS, A devout Christian from a young age, Mr. Land became a member of Promised Land Christian Worship Center Church in 2004 and generously volunteered his time as director of the men's ministry; he earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Biblical Studies in 2005 and was an accomplished writer and sought-after speaker on religious, military, educational, and civic affairs; moreover, he was a prominent member of the Most Worshipful Saint John Grand Lodge and Hadassah Grand Chapter and had served as potentate of Arabia Shrine Temple No. 1; more recently, he had been inducted into the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misra m, where he had the distinction of receiving his 95th degree as Grand Conservator General; and WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman married Betty Jean Riley on October 22, 1966, and shared a rewarding relationship with her until her passing; he was the father of three children, Janice, Gregory, and Carlton, and was further blessed with the companionship of a large extended family and many longtime friends; and WHEREAS, Carlton Land inspired countless people with his earnest faith, his desire to make a difference, and his steadfast service to his country and community, and he leaves behind a legacy that will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Carlton Earl Land and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his children, Janice Barney and Gregory Riley; to his sister and brother, Carolyn and Louis DeVaughn; to his sisters-in-law, Shirley Land, Iola Fogle, and Diane Riley; to his brother-in-law, Luther Burrell; to his special friend, Gail Revis; and to his 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 Carlton Land. Dutton Straus Gonz lez Paddie Allen Guerra Parker Alonzo Guillen Paul Alvarado Gutierrez Pe a Anchia Harless Phelan Anderson of Dallas Hernandez Phillips Anderson of McLennan Herrero Pickett Ashby Howard Price Aycock Huberty Raney Bell Hughes Raymond Bernal Hunter Reynolds Blanco Isaac Riddle Bohac Israel Rinaldi Bonnen of Brazoria Johnson Rodriguez of Bexar Bonnen of Galveston Kacal Rodriguez of Travis Burkett Keffer Romero, Jr. Burns Keough Rose Burrows King of Hemphill Sanford Button King of Parker Schaefer Canales King of Taylor Schofield Capriglione King of Uvalde Schubert Clardy Klick Shaheen Coleman Koop Sheets Collier Krause Sheffield Cook Kuempel Simmons Craddick Landgraf Simpson Crownover Larson Smith Cyrier Laubenberg Smithee Dale Leach Spitzer Darby Longoria Springer Davis of Dallas Lozano Stephenson Davis of Harris Lucio III Stickland Deshotel M rquez Thompson of Brazoria Dukes Martinez Thompson of Harris Dutton Martinez Fischer Tinderholt Elkins McClendon Turner of Collin Faircloth Metcalf Turner of Harris Fallon Meyer Turner of Tarrant Farias Miles VanDeaver Farney Miller of Comal Villalba Farrar Miller of Fort Bend Vo Fletcher Moody Walle Flynn Morrison White of Bell Frank Mu oz, Jr. White of Tyler Frullo Murphy Workman Galindo Murr Wray Geren Naishtat Wu Giddings Nev rez Zedler Goldman Oliveira Zerwas Gonzales Otto Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2286 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 27, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House