In memory of Carlton Carl of Martindale.

89(R) HR 1240 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 1240

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Carlton Carl of Martindale, an admired wordsmith,

philanthropist, entrepreneur, and friend to many, passed away on

March 25, 2025, at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, The son of Claudia and Urbane Carl, Carlton Carl was

born in Houston on September 20, 1945, and grew up with an older

brother, Colin; he graduated from Columbia University and went on

to earn his master's degree from the institution's renowned

journalism school; at the age of 26, he was appointed press

secretary to then-governor Preston Smith; two years later, he

joined the staff of Texas House Speaker Price Daniel Jr.; he

subsequently worked on or ran campaigns for such Democratic Party

legends as Bob Bullock and Ann Richards; in 1983, he moved to

Washington, D.C., as press secretary to U.S. Representative John

Bryant, of Dallas, Texas, a close friend; he later became vice

president of communications, policy, and strategy for the American

Association for Justice, the national organization of trial lawyers

dedicated to seeking civil redress for workers and consumers; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Carl's love of small-town Texas drew him back to

the state in the mid-2000s, when he sold his townhome in

Washington, D.C., to take on the mission of revitalizing old

downtown Martindale; after purchasing three vacant general stores,

a decommissioned bank, and multiple other parcels, he became a

friend, mentor, and supporter, as well as landlord, to many local

business owners; he was instrumental in establishing the library

and organizing a variety of community-building events and

initiatives; fascinated by the town's heritage, he became a

founding member of the Martindale Historic Preservation Commission

and helped create the historic district; his efforts facilitated

Martindale's rise as a top choice of movie and television location

scouts seeking a classic turn-of-the-20th-century site; along the

way, he was recruited as CEO and publisher of the
Texas Observer
, a

revered bastion of progressive and investigative journalism; he

went on to serve the publication as a proofreader and, until his

death, a member of the board of its governing nonprofit; devoted to

his family, he enthusiastically followed all their activities and

interests; and

WHEREAS, Through his wide-ranging endeavors, Carlton Carl

made a meaningful difference in the world around him, and his warmth

and generosity will remain a source of inspiration to all who were

privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Carlton Carl and

extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his nephew

and nieces, Daniel, Rebecca, Eleanor, and Elisabeth Carl; to his

grandnephews and grandniece, Amoni, Jude, Zev, Zia, Porter,

Theodore, and Emet; to his sister-in-law, Glenda Carl; and to his

other relatives and host of 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

Carl.

Bryant

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1240 was unanimously adopted by a

rising vote of the House on June 1, 2025.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House