TITLE: In memory of John William "Bill" Hartman of Richmond.

SUMMARY: In memory of John William "Bill" Hartman of Richmond.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, John William Hartman of Richmond, an esteemed newspaperman and friend to many, passed away on May 3, 2021, at the age of 79; and WHEREAS, The son of Betty and Fred Hartman, Bill Hartman was born in Houston on July 19, 1941, and he grew up in Baytown with the companionship of his sister, Mary; he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1959 and went on to earn a business administration degree from Baylor University in 1962; and WHEREAS, While still a teenager, Mr. Hartman began working as a janitor for the Baytown Sun,where his father was the editor and publisher; after beginning his journalism career as a sports reporter, he took a position as editor and publisher for the Bayshore Sun in La Porte, and he subsequently returned to the Baytown Sun in 1965 as its general manager; he then served as editor and publisher of the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal until 1974; that same year, he established Hartman Newspapers, Inc., with the purchase of The Herald-Coaster,which later became known as the Fort Bend Herald;at its peak, his company owned 17 community newspapers in Texas and Oklahoma, and today it continues to operate 9 Texas newspapers; he further contributed to the industry as a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America Houston Chapter and as president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, which named him the Pat Taggart Newspaper Leader of the Year in 2004; and WHEREAS, Active in the wider community as well, Mr. Hartman held leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the Rosenberg-Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital, and the Rosenberg Rotary Club; moreover, he was a valued congregant of St. John's United Methodist Church in Richmond; and WHEREAS, Mr. Hartman was the proud father of three children, Fred, Lee, and Lizz, and he doted on his six grandchildren, Drew, Kate, Alex, Ella, Julia, and Blake; in his leisure hours, he enjoyed playing golf, spending time outdoors, and showing Arabian horses; and WHEREAS, An engaged citizen, a devoted family man, and an admired professional, Bill Hartman lived a full and generous life, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of John William Hartman and extend sincere 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 Bill Hartman. Jetton Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1087 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 14, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House