[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 142 (Friday, September 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF ROGER GALATAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2019

  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, today l rise to recognize and remember the 
life of a remarkable member of The Woodlands, Texas community, Roger L. 
Galatas, who passed away on August 29, 2019.
  Although he called Montgomery County home for the last 50 years, 
Roger was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 21, 1935. After 
graduating from Louisiana Tech in 1957 with a degree in geology, Roger 
served in the United States Air Force as a meteorologist. After three 
years of service, he began working for Humble Oil & Refining, which 
later became Exxon Mobile. A year later, he met his wife Ann on a blind 
date, and they married three months later. The two eventually made the 
move to the great state of Texas, where they settled down in the city 
of Conroe to raise their two children.
  In 1979, George P. Mitchell offered Roger a job, and for the next 20 
years, Roger served as President of The Woodlands Operating Company, 
L.P., a position he only retired from after the company was sold. 
During his time with the company, he played a key role in creating 
iconic landmarks in our community, including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell 
Pavilion, Lake Woodlands, The Woodlands Hospital, and the John Cooper 
School.
  Roger was a firm believer in the vision of The Woodlands as a master 
planned community, and helped form ``George's Coffee Club''--a group 
focused on planning the future of the township. His love for The 
Woodlands even inspired him to venture into the literary world, and his 
book, ``The Woodlands: The Inside Story of Creating a Better Hometown'' 
was an insider's look into the history of his beloved hometown.
  Passionate about education and family values, Roger served two terms 
as president of the Conroe ISO School Board. His favorite past-time was 
reading to the third grade class at the local elementary school, which 
was later renamed Galatas Elementary in his honor.
  Though his legacy in The Woodlands is secured for decades to come, 
none will miss Roger more than his incredible family. He is survived by 
his children, Susan McLean and Bob Galatas; son- and daughter-in-law, 
Richard McLean and Carrie Galatas; and four grandchildren, Mason 
McLean, Molly McLean, Max Galatas, and Grace Galatas.
  While the community mourns this tremendous loss, we also celebrate 
Roger's remarkable life and remember his lasting legacy of 
groundbreaking innovation. He was an inspiration to all who met him, 
and I join his family, friends, and the entire Eighth District of Texas 
in honoring his wonderful life and endless devotion to our community. 
Roger, you will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________