Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Fifty-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1 Page: 7
1810 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this legislative document.
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January 12, 1965 HOUSE JOURNAL
strategy he used to defeat Napoleon
at the Battle of Waterloo. After
careful thought, the Duke replied,
"The Battle of Waterloo was won
on the playing fields of Eton." What
was true then is equally true today.
Many of the characteristics which
have contributed so much to personal
leadership and to leadership of our
State and Nation have been forged
on the playing fields of America. To
many people, sports mean little more
than the color of the crowd, the
cheers of approval, the joys of vic-
tory. But to the players on the field,
there is more, much more, to the
game - determination, sacrifice, en-
durance, courage, teamwork - all
these attributes they give in full
measure. They know only too well
that the All-American back is only
as good as the unsung lineman block-
ing in front of him. They know only
too well the need for teamwork.
They know only too well how to
give their all for victory and how
to accept defeat with pride, secure
in the knowledge that they did their
very best.
But I am not here to nominate a
most valuable player or an All-
American back-I am here to nom-
inate a Speaker of the House of
Representatives. I think it is appro-
priate though to point out that Ben
Barnes is a man who possesses the
attributes of determination, sacrifice,
endurance, courage and teamwork so
essential, so necessary, for any man
who seeks to be a leader of men.
There are many ways in which I
could describe Ben Barnes: A man
devoted to his wife and family. An
able and energetic representative of
his district. An eager student of law
and government. A man of friendship.
Ben Barnes is all of these things and
much more. He is a man who has
had to work to secure his college
education and support his family. As
a freshman member of the House, he
served on those committees many of
us considered the unhonored and un-
sung. He has engaged in many
political battles and learned how to
lose, as well as win with good grace
and even temper. He has worked
hard, harder than any one man might
be expected to work, for those
causes and for those leaders he be-
lieved in. He knows how to lead,
because he worked so hard as a
good follower for other leaders. Heis young in years, yet old in political
wisdom. He knows, as few men
know, how this House functions. He
knows only too well its rich heritage
and long traditions.
We members of the House of Rep-
resentatives are proud individuals,
proud of the fact that our fellow
citizens have chosen us to represent
them at the seat of government,
proud of the fact that we are part
of one of the most important branch-
es of government, proud of the fact
that we share in the traditions of
one of the oldest institutions of
democratic government.
Ben Barnes is a man who shares
in full measure with each of us this
pride in our House of Representa-
tives, but he is more than that. He
is a product of this House, for he
came to it as a young man with no
prior experience in elective office.
As a member of the House, he has
worked long and hard to learn what
few men have learned-the processes
of parliamentary procedure. He will
serve this House not only as a leader
but as a conservator of the customs
and traditions which have developed
over the years.
I could not, nor would not, stand
before you and offer in nomination
for Speaker of this House the name
of Ben Barnes unless I was sure in
my own heart that he would be a
Speaker that this House needs and
deserves. Beyond all else, I know that
he will be a fair Speaker; a Speaker
who respects the dignity and position
of each member of this House; a
Speaker who will uphold the highest
traditions of customs and usage which
have developed over the years in
this House; a Speaker who will merit
the trust and approval of every
member of this House. He is truly
a man for all seasons, for all weath-
er, for all men. With pride and
honor, I offer in nomination the name
of Ben Barnes for Speaker of the
House of Representatives of the 59th
Legislature.
The Chair then asked if there were
further nominations for the Office
of Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives of the Fifty-ninth Legis-
lature.
There being none, the Chair then
recognized the Honorable James L.
Slider, of Morris County, who sec-January 12, 1965
HOUSE JOURNAL
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Texas. Legislature. House of Representatives. Journal of the House of Representatives of the Regular Session of the Fifty-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 1, legislative document, 1965; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth193872/m1/11/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.