Chet Brooks
Full Name: Chester Edward "Chet" Brooks
Date of birth: August 18, 1935
Date of death: May 11, 2016
Terms of Service top
Chamber |
District |
Dates of Service |
Legislatures |
Party |
City/County |
Note |
Counties in District |
S
|
11
|
Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993
|
72nd
(1)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
Dean of the Senate. (72nd)
|
Galveston, Harris
|
S
|
11
|
Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991
|
71st
70th
71st
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
Dean of the Senate. (71st)
Dean of the Senate. (70th)
|
Galveston, Harris
|
S
|
11
|
Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 13, 1987
|
69th
(2)
(3)
(4)
68th
(5)
(6)
(7)
69th
(2)
(3)
(4)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
Dean of the Senate. (69th)
Dean of the Senate. (68th)
|
Galveston, Harris
|
S
|
11
|
Jan 9, 1979 - Jan 11, 1983
|
67th
(8)
(9)
66th
67th
(8)
(9)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
Dean of the Senate. (67th)
|
Harris
|
S
|
11
|
Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 9, 1979
|
64th
65th
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
|
Harris
|
S
|
11
|
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975
|
63rd
(10)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
|
Harris
|
S
|
7
|
Jan 12, 1971 - Jan 9, 1973
|
62nd
(11)
(12)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
Senate President Pro Tempore (62nd)
|
Harris
|
S
|
7
|
Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 12, 1971
|
60th
(13)
61st
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
|
Harris
|
H
|
22-12
|
Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967
|
59th
(14)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
|
Harris
|
H
|
22-12
|
Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965
|
58th
(15)
|
Democrat
|
Pasadena / Harris
|
|
Harris
|
(1)
2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1992 due to redistricting.
Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(2)
Journal does not indicate who assumed title of Dean of the Senate during the regular session. However, Chet Brooks served as chair of the senate caucus, an honor traditionally bestowed upon the dean, pp. 4-6, 69th Legislature, Regular Session,
Senate Journal.
(3)
Refers to Chet Brooks as 'Dean of the Senate,' 'The Ten Best and [Groan] the Ten Worst,' July 1985,
Texas Monthly.
(4)
Brooks and Mauzy shared seniority during the 69th Legislature,
Texas Senate, Secretary of the Senate - Memo, January 8, 2002, 'Deans of the Texas Senate', 2002.
(5)
Journal refers to Chet Brooks as Dean of the Senate, p. 10, 68th Legislature, Regular Session.
Senate Journal.
(6)
Brooks and Mauzy shared seniority during the 68th Legislature,
Texas Senate, Secretary of the Senate - Memo, January 8, 2002, 'Deans of the Texas Senate', 2002.
(7)
68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 4-year term (also see message from President, p. 467).
Senate Journal.
(8)
67th Legislature - Presentation of Deans of Senate, 1/13/1981, p. 8. [The Senate] selected 3 Members to serve as Deans of the Senate. Senator Brooks will serve the first 4 mos; Senator Mauzy the second 4 mos and Senator Snelson the last 4 mos of the year.
Senate Journal.
(9)
Senators Brooks, Mauzy, and Snelson shared the title of dean. See the Senate Journal, 67th Legislature, Vol. I, p. 8.
Texas Senate, Secretary of the Senate - Memo, January 8, 2002, 'Deans of the Texas Senate', 2002.
(10)
63rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/10/1973, pp. 12-13. Drew 2-year term.
Senate Journal.
(11)
62nd Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, 3rd C.S., elected 6/14/1972.
Senate Journal.
(12)
2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1972 due to redistricting.
Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(13)
60th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1967, p. 19. Drew 4-year term.
Senate Journal.
(14)
Sworn 11/23/1964.
Oaths of Office.
(15)
Sworn 11/23/1962.
Oaths of Office.
Biographical Notes and Resources top
Selected Newspaper articles
Resolutions and Journal entries
Biographical Sketches
- Biographical sketch and photo.
Senate Biographies, 63rd Legislature, 1973.
- Biographical sketch and photo.
The Senators of Texas, 64th Session, 1975.
- Memorial biographical sketch and photo. Chester Edward Brooks.
A State of Remembrance, 2017.
- 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.
- Brooks, Chester Edward, "Chet."
Texas State Cemetery.
Military Service Notes
Other Resources
Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators
- Named one of 'The Worst'.
Best and Worst Legislators 1985.
- Awarded 'Best Single Performance'.
Best and Worst Legislators 1983.
- Named 'Dishonorable Mention'.
Best and Worst Legislators 1975.
- Named 'Honorable Mention'.
Best and Worst Legislators 1973.
Photographs
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 72nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 71st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 70th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 69th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 68th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 67th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 66th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 65th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 64th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 63rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 62nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 61st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 60th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 59th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Chet Brooks, 58th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph.
Henry Fletcher and Chet Brooks. Speaker's Day 2009. Photo courtesy of Brenda McKean, Donated Material
Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol
-
60th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
-
61st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
-
62nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
-
63rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
-
64th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
-
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.
-
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.
Committee Information top
72nd R.S. - 1991
Administration, Special
(Vice Chair)
Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special
(Chair)
Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Congressional Districts
Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Legislative Districts
Education
Environment, Interim
Finance
Government Efficiency, Interim
Health and Human Services
(Chair)
Health and Human Services, Interim
Nominations, Special
|
71st R.S. - 1989
Administration, Special
(Vice Chair)
Committee of the Whole Senate
Education
Finance
Health and Human Services
(Chair)
Legislative Redistricting, Select
Mentally Retarded Persons Act of 1977, Task Force on
(Co-Chair)
Nominations, Special
Nursing Home Rate Reimbursement, Interim
Public Education, Select
Waste Management Policy, Task Force on
(Co-Chair)
|
70th R.S. - 1987
Administration, Special
(Vice Chair)
Committee of the Whole Senate
Education
Finance
Future of Long Term Health Care, Special Task Force
(Vice Chair)
Health and Human Services
(Chair)
Health Care Reimbursement Alternatives, Commission on
Medicaid and Family Services, Select
Nominations, Special
Rules, Special
Rural Health Care Delivery, Special Task Force
Steering Committee to Develop a Texas Office of Prevention
Substance Abuse Treatment Delivery
Waste Management Policy, Task Force on
(Chair)
|
69th R.S. - 1985
Administration, Special
Cancer in Texas, Task Force on
Coastline Rehabilitation, Interim
(Chair)
Committee of the Whole Senate
Department of Human Services Audits
(Chair)
Finance
Health and Human Resources
(Chair)
Nominations, Special
State Affairs
State Affairs Subcommittee on Elections
|
68th R.S. - 1983
Cancer in Texas, Task Force on
Committee of the Whole Senate
Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Finance
Finance
Health and Human Resources
(Chair)
Human Resources
(Chair)
Indigent Health Care, Task Force on
Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Oversight
Rules, Special
State Affairs
State Affairs Subcommittee on Nominations
|
67th R.S. - 1981
Autism
(Chair)
Finance
Human Resources
(Chair)
New Federalism, Task Force
Redistricting, Subcommittee of the Committee of the Whole Senate, Special
Redistricting, Subcommittee of the Committee of the Whole Senate, Special Congressional Panel
State Affairs
State Affairs Subcommittee on Nominations
|
66th R.S. - 1979
Finance
Human Resources
(Chair)
Human Resources Ad Hoc Committee on Standardized Medical Procedures
(Chair)
Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health and Welfare
State Affairs
State Affairs Subcommittee on Nominations
|
65th R.S. - 1977
Delivery of Human Services in Texas
(Vice Chair)
Delivery of Human Services in Texas Subcommittee on Funding Patterns
(Chair)
Delivery of Human Services in Texas Subcommittee on Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services
Delivery of Human Services in Texas Subcommittee on Services for 65 and Over Age Group
(Chair)
Educational Services to the Deaf, Advisory
Educational Services to the Deaf, Advisory, Subcommittee on Governmental Structure
(Chair)
Finance
Finance Interim Subcommittee on Juvenile Crime
Human Resources
(Chair)
Long-term Care Alternatives
(Chair)
State Affairs
State Affairs Subcommittee on Uniform Group Insurance for Public School Teachers and Employees
State Involvement In and Administration of Student Loan Programs For Texas, Special, Interim
|
64th R.S. - 1975
Finance
Human Resources
(Chair)
Ship Channel Safety, Special Interim
State Affairs
|
63rd R.S. - 1973
Finance
Human Resources
(Chair)
Prison Reform
(Chair)
Special Districts, Special
(Chair)
State Affairs
|
62nd R.S. - 1971
Banking
(Vice Chair)
County, District and Urban Affairs
Education
Finance
Horse Racing and Pari-mutuel Betting, Interim
Human Resources
(Vice Chair)
Insurance
Natural Resources
Nominations
Occupational Education, Interim
Parks and Wildlife
Privileges and Elections
Public Health
Public School Finance, Interim
Special Districts
(Chair)
State Departments and Institutions
(Chair)
Transportation
|
61st R.S. - 1969
Agriculture and Livestock
Banking
(Vice Chair)
County, District, and Urban Affairs
Insurance
Legislative, Congressional, and Judicial Districts
Liquor Laws
Lunar Landing Commission
(Vice Chair)
Motion Picture Theater Industry
Parks and Wildlife
Preschool Education Standards
Public Health
Rules
Rules of the Senate
State Departments and Institutions
(Chair)
Transportation
Uninsured Motorists' Coverage
Vocational-Technical Education
(Chair)
Youth Affairs
|
60th R.S. - 1967
Banking
Counties, Cities, and Towns
Emergency Hospital Treatment
(Chair)
Finance
Game and Fish
Legislative, Congressional and Judicial Districts
(Vice Chair)
State Departments and Institutions
Transportation
Uninsured Motorists
Vocational-Technical Education
(Chair)
|
59th R.S. - 1965
Engrossed Bills
Federal Relations
Houston Ship Channel
Military and Veterans' Affairs
Penitentiaries
|
58th R.S. - 1963
Federal Relations
Labor
Military and Veterans' Affairs
Penitentiaries
|
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