Carl Parker

Full Name: Carl A. Parker
Date of birth: August 6, 1934
Date of death: March 22, 2024

Terms of Service
Biographical Notes
Committee Information
Legislation

Terms of Service top

Chamber	District	Dates of Service	Legislatures	Party	City/County	Note	Counties in District
S	4	Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995	73rd ⁽¹⁾ ⁽²⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange
S	4	Jan 10, 1989 - Jan 12, 1993	71st 72nd	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange
S	4	Jan 8, 1985 - Jan 10, 1989	70th ⁽³⁾ 69th 70th ⁽³⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson	Senate President Pro Tempore (70th)	Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange
S	4	Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 8, 1985	68th ⁽⁴⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange
S	4	Jan 13, 1981 - Jan 11, 1983	67th ⁽⁵⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Chambers, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange
S	4	Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 13, 1981	65th 66th	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Chambers, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange
H	7-3	Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977	64th	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	7-3	Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975	63rd ⁽⁶⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson	Speaker Pro Tem, 6/18/1973.	Jefferson
H	9-3	Jan 12, 1971 - Jan 9, 1973	62nd	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	9-3	Jan 14, 1969 - Jan 12, 1971	61st	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	9-3	Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 14, 1969	60th	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	9-3	Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967	59th	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	9-3	Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965	58th ⁽⁷⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson
H	9-3	Nov 23, 1962 - Jan 8, 1963	57th ⁽⁸⁾ ⁽⁹⁾ ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾	Democrat	Port Arthur / Jefferson		Jefferson

(1) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal.
(2) Due to redistricting litigation, entire Senate went up for reelection in 1994. See also Clips database, 4/6/1993 - 4/8/1993, Redistricting - Legislature; and Guide to 2001 Redistricting - Appendix A, 1990s Redistricting (Texas Legislative Council). Terrazas v. Slagle, 821 F.Supp. 1162 (April 5, 1993), 1993.
(3) 70th Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Regular Session, elected 1/13/1987. Senate Journal.
(4) 68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 2-year term (also see message from President, p. 467). Senate Journal.
(5) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1982 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(6) Speaker Pro Tem, 6/18/1973. "Parker Speaker Pro Tem," 6/18/1973. Beaumont Enterprise.
(7) Sworn 11/23/1962. Oaths of Office.
(8) Opinion WW-1476 dated 11/15/1962 addresses terms of office for members of the House of Representatives. Newly-elected members may qualify for office and be entitled to a salary on the date the canvassing of the General Election returns is complete. Attorney General of Texas.
(9) "Senators-Elect Can't Take Oath, Draw Pay Till Jan. 8," House newcomers Carl Parker and Leroy Wieting took oath of office for the 58th Legislature early—on 11/23/1962—replacing D. Roy Harrington and Thomas Andrews before the end of the 57th. Dallas Morning News.
(10) "Senators-Elect Can't Take Oath, Draw Pay Till Jan. 8," Two newly-elected Jefferson County members took oath of office early, on 11/23/1962. "No [House] payroll place left" for Senator-elect Harrington. Dallas Morning News.
(11) "Wilson Opinion Awaited on Exact End of Terms" reports "a legislator can hold office until his successor has qualified or until 'the first of the year. . .'" State canvassing board to certify results of November election on 11/23/1962. Dallas Morning News.

Terms of Service top

Senate District 4
Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995
Legislatures: 73rd ⁽¹⁾ ⁽²⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange

Senate District 4
Jan 10, 1989 - Jan 12, 1993
Legislatures: 71st 72nd
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange

Senate District 4
Jan 8, 1985 - Jan 10, 1989
Legislatures: 70th ⁽³⁾ 69th 70th ⁽³⁾
Senate President Pro Tempore (70th)
(70th)
(70th)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange

Senate District 4
Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 8, 1985
Legislatures: 68th ⁽⁴⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange

Senate District 4
Jan 13, 1981 - Jan 11, 1983
Legislatures: 67th ⁽⁵⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange

Senate District 4
Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 13, 1981
Legislatures: 65th 66th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Chambers, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange

House District 7-3
Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977
Legislatures: 64th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 7-3
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975
Legislatures: 63rd ⁽⁶⁾
Speaker Pro Tem, 6/18/1973.
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Jan 12, 1971 - Jan 9, 1973
Legislatures: 62nd
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Jan 14, 1969 - Jan 12, 1971
Legislatures: 61st
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 14, 1969
Legislatures: 60th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967
Legislatures: 59th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965
Legislatures: 58th ⁽⁷⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

House District 9-3
Nov 23, 1962 - Jan 8, 1963
Legislatures: 57th ⁽⁸⁾ ⁽⁹⁾ ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Port Arthur / Jefferson
Counties in district: Jefferson

Biographical Information top

Selected newspaper articles

Resolutions and Journal entries

61st Legislature, 1st C.S., HSR 26. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
61st Legislature, R.S., HSR 433. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
65th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 116. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
67th Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 155. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
69th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 2. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.

Biographical Sketches

Photo and profile, pp. 22-26, March/April 1993. Metropolitan Beaumont.
Photo and biographical sketch, "Texas Government Insider," 10/31/2008, Strategic Partnerships, Inc., 2008.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 66th Legislature, 1979.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 67th Legislature, 1981.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 68th Legislature, 1983.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 69th Legislature, 1985.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 70th Legislature, 1987.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 71st Legislature, 1989.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 72nd Legislature, 1991.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 73rd Legislature, 1993.
Parker, Carl A. Texas State Cemetery.

Military Service Notes

United States Naval Reserve, Commander, Navy lawyer. Texas State Cemetery.
United States Naval Reserve. Photo and salute. With Honor and Gratitude: A Special Thank You to Our Texas Senate Members Who Served Our Country, 2017.

Other Resources

Delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention, 1974. Record of Proceedings, Texas Constitutional Convention: Official Journals, January 8 - July 30, 1974, 1975.
Notice of death, 3/25/2024. Speaker of the House.
Mentioned in "Access Through the Lobby," 2/24/1995, pp. 14-17. Texas Observer.

Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators

Awarded 'Best Amendment'. Best and Worst Legislators 1993.
Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1991.
Named 'Honorable Mention'. Best and Worst Legislators 1981.
Awarded 'Sleaziest Comment'. Best and Worst Legislators 1979.
Named 'Honorable Mention'. Best and Worst Legislators 1973.

Photographs

Photograph. Carl Parker, 73rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl Parker, 72nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl Parker, 71st Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 70th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl Parker, 69th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl Parker, 68th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 67th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 66th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 65th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 64th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Representatives John R. Bigham, Carl Parker, and Charles Tupper on the House Floor., 63rd Legislature, House Photography
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 63rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 62nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 61st Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 60th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 59th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Carl A. Parker, 58th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

65th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
66th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
67th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
68th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
69th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
70th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
71st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
72nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
73rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
57th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
58th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
59th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
60th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
61st session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
62nd session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
63rd session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
64th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.

Committee Information top

73rd R.S. - 1993 Committee of the Whole Senate Economic Development (Chair) Finance Jurisprudence Redistricting, Ethics and Elections, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special Redistricting, Ethics and Elections, Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Elections and Ethics, Standing
72nd R.S. - 1991 Administration, Special Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Legislative Districts Economic Development Economic Development Subcommittee on Insurance (Chair) Education (Chair) Environment, Interim Erect a Memorial for Korean and Vietnam Veterans Finance Government Efficiency, Interim Higher Education, Select (Co-Chair)
71st R.S. - 1989 Administration, Special Committee of the Whole Senate Education (Chair) Finance Job Training Partnership Act Monitoring Jurisprudence Oil Spills and Water Pollution Abatement Proprietary Schools, Interim Public Education, Select (Chair) Texas State Artist (Chair) Waste Management Policy, Task Force on Workers' Compensation Insurance Policies, Special (Vice Chair)
70th R.S. - 1987 Administration, Special Child Support, Interim Committee of the Whole Senate Education (Chair) Finance Higher Education in South Texas Jurisprudence Post-Secondary Medical, Dental, and Allied Health Education, Special Protective Orders and State Employee Pension Plans Security for Judgments, Special (Co-Chair) Texas Veterans Memorial
69th R.S. - 1985 Administration, Special Coastline Rehabilitation, Interim Committee of the Whole Senate Education (Chair) Finance Higher Education, Select Jurisprudence
68th R.S. - 1983 Committee of the Whole Senate Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Teachers (Chair) Education (Chair) Finance Higher Education Jurisprudence Jurisprudence Subcommittee on Civil Matters Public Education, Select Rules, Special
67th R.S. - 1981 Beach Development Diabetes Services in Texas, Special (Chair) Finance Intergovernmental Relations (Vice Chair) Jurisprudence Jurisprudence Subcommittee on Civil Matters (Chair) Quad State Project Participation, Interim (Vice Chair) State Artist Selection (Chair) State Artist Selection, Special (Chair)
66th R.S. - 1979 Finance Financial Institutions (Chair) Intergovernmental Relations (Vice Chair) Jurisprudence Jurisprudence Subcommittee on Civil Matters State Artist Selection, Special
65th R.S. - 1977 Beaches Economic Development Intergovernmental Relations (Vice Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Housing (Chair) Jurisprudence Replacement of Ad Valorem Taxes State Involvement In and Administration of Student Loan Programs For Texas, Special, Interim
64th R.S. - 1975 Appropriations Energy Resources
63rd R.S. - 1973 Appropriations Appropriations Subcommittee on Utilization of State Owned Property (Chair) Calendars (Chair)
62nd R.S. - 1971 Coastal and Marine Resources, Interim Highways and Roads House Rules and Procedures Insurance Judicial Districts (Chair) Judiciary Poverty/Office of Economic Opportunity State Affairs
61st R.S. - 1969 Constitutional Amendments Federal Relations Judiciary Labor Penitentiaries (Chair) Uninsured Motorists' Coverage (Chair)
60th R.S. - 1967 Constitutional Amendments (Vice Chair) Criminal Jurisprudence Insurance Interstate Cooperation Labor Organ Transplantation Uninsured Motorists
59th R.S. - 1965 Constitutional Amendments Criminal Jurisprudence Labor Penitentiaries Pleasure Island Public Printing
58th R.S. - 1963 Constitutional Amendments Labor Military and Veterans' Affairs Penitentiaries Public Printing

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