Recognizing Service of Ben Royden Ogletree, Jr
Floor Speech
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Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Ben Ogletree, Jr.
Ben was born on October 6, 1938, in Livingston, Texas. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1956 and married the love of his life, Janice Helen Clark, on January 31, 1958.
Ben graduated in the class of 1960 from the University of Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on industrial management. He spent the next 25 years overseeing his family's land, timber, and wood products business.
In 1970, East Texas Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company, elected Ben to serve on their Board of Directors and Executive Committee. As a devoted public servant, he also sat on the Livingston City Council for 32 years, spending 22 of those years as mayor of Livingston. In 1985, Ben became president and Chief Executive Officer of First State Bank. Later, he served as Chairman of the Board for both First State Bank and East Texas Bancshares, Inc. To recognize his years of outstanding service to the community, Polk County named him 1989's Polk Countian of the Year. In 1991, Ben graduated from Southern Methodist University's Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.
After a long career in business, Ben retired in 2005. However, he still serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for First State Bank. In addition to Ben's earnest commitment to his community, he is also incredibly passionate about flying and has held a commercial pilot's license for more than 50 years with ratings for multi-engine, instrument, and flight instructor. Ben continues to put the needs of others first while enjoying cherished hobbies like hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is the father of three, grandfather to eight, and great-grandfather to five.
Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor my friend, Ben Ogletree, Jr., who has faithfully and humbly served his community, our state, and our Nation.
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