[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15838-15839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                HONORING ED WATSON ON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ed Watson of Houston for 
his abiding commitment to public service as he celebrates his 80th 
birthday. Texas is fortunate to have a native son who has spent his 
life working on behalf of his community, contributing unselfishly to 
numerous causes while raising a fine family.
  Ed was born in ``Pole Cat Ridge,'' Wallisville, Texas, on July 20, 
1920. He graduated from Anahuac High School in 1939 and joined the U.S. 
Navy in 1942. After his service in World War II, he attended the 
University of Houston until he went to work in 1946 at Shell Oil 
Refinery in Deer Park. Ed and his wife Jerry were married at the 
Lawndale Baptist Church more than 50 years ago, on May 7, 1948.
  Shortly after, Ed was called back into service during the Korean 
Conflict in 1950 for 15 months. In 1954, having outgrown their home in 
Pasadena, the Watsons and their four children moved to Deer Park. In 
March 1955, his family became members of the First Baptist Church of 
Deer Park.
  Ed has been involved in politics and community affairs since 1947. He 
has been a member of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers 
International Union for more than 50 years, and he was serving as 
President of Local 4-367 when elected in 1972 as a member of the Texas 
House of Representatives, a

[[Page 15839]]

position in which he served for 8 terms. In the Texas Legislature, Ed 
was a leader on issues of law enforcement, education, environmental 
protection, and creating economic opportunity,and he served several 
terms as Chairman of the Harris County Delegation. Currently he is a 
Community Liaison on my congressional staff in Pasadena and Deer Park, 
Texas.
  Ed is a charter member of the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce and a 
charter member of the Lions Club. He served fourteen years as a 
volunteer fireman and is now one of six honorary members. He has been 
actively involved in the Wheel House, a 30-day alcohol rehabilitation 
facility, since 1954 and serves on their board of directors. Ed visits 
daily, reaching out to the residents, solving problems when they arise, 
and fundraising.
  Ed also serves on the board of directors of the Interfaith Helping 
Hands Ministry. He also volunteers his time at First Baptist Church, 
serving on the Benevolence Committee and reaching out to people not 
only in the church, but in the community as well. Because of his caring 
ways, Ed was named Dear Park Citizen of the Year in 1987. With Jerry, 
Ed also works with the Interfaith Helping Hands Ministry and she has 
served on the Bereavement Committee at First Baptist Church many times.
  In all that he has done, Ed Watson has been a leader, organizer, and 
innovator. Known for his activism and leadership in both politics and 
public service, his legacy will be remembered by the community and to 
the many who have benefited from his good deeds.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ed Watson on the occasion of 
his 80th birthday and to commend him on a lifetime of achievement. I 
join Ed's family and friends and all those he has inspired in honoring 
him on this occasion. May the coming years bring good health, 
happiness, and time to enjoy his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

                          ____________________