Congratulating Cecil V. Newton of Highlands on his 100th birthday.

89(R) HR 174 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 174

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed member of the

Greatest Generation is truly cause for celebration, and Cecil V.

Newton of Highlands is marking this momentous milestone in his life

on March 5, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Born to Ruby and Jessie Newton in 1925, Cecil Newton

grew up on a farm in Highlands; he began working at Exxon at the age

of 18 but received his draft notice in September 1944; before

deploying as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, he married his

fiancée, the former Selma Ruth Waldrep; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Newton served in Germany with the 87th Division,

345th Platoon, Company E, 3rd Squad; after surviving combat at

Koblenz in Germany, he crossed the Rhine at Boppard under heavy fire

and helped clear out snipers; his company nearly reached Berlin by

VE Day and then proceeded to liberate concentration camps;

following demobilization, Mr. Newton remained in the reserve, and

over the years, he maintained warm friendships that he had formed

early in his service; and

WHEREAS, Returning to Exxon in civilian life, Mr. Newton

became a journeyman machinist; he took advantage of the GI Bill to

complete his bachelor's degree cum laude at the University of

Houston in 1959; during a career that spanned more than four decades

with Exxon, he seized every opportunity to learn new things,

earning myriad certificates; his many accomplishments included two

patents, and he gained a reputation as an ace problem solver; he

rose to become a staff engineer in the Baytown Refinery's technical

division; in his free time, he earned his pilot's license; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Newton and his wife raised three children, Judy,

Richard, and Douglas, and through the years, their treasured family

has grown to include four grandchildren and many

great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; the Newtons

were active in Trinity Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, where for

nearly four decades Mr. Newton ran the sound systems and assisted

with radio broadcasts; the couple shared a fulfilling relationship

of 71 years until Mrs. Newton's passing in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of a century, Cecil Newton has

inspired innumerable people through his courage, integrity, and

devotion to his family, and he continues to enrich the lives of all

who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it

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

Legislature hereby congratulate Cecil V. Newton on the joyous

occasion of his 100th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes

for continued happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for Mr. Newton as an expression of high regard by the Texas

House of Representatives.

Cain

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 174 was adopted by the House on June

1, 2025, by a non-record vote.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House