Chet Brooks

Full Name: Chester Edward "Chet" Brooks
Date of birth: August 18, 1935
Date of death: May 11, 2016

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	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) 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.
(7) 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.
(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.

Terms of Service top

Senate District 11
Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993
Legislatures: 72nd ⁽¹⁾
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Galveston, Harris

Senate District 11
Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991
Legislatures: 71st 70th 71st
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
(62nd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Galveston, Harris

Senate District 11
Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 13, 1987
Legislatures: 69th ⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾ 68th ⁽⁵⁾ ⁽⁶⁾ ⁽⁷⁾ 69th ⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
(62nd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Galveston, Harris

Senate District 11
Jan 9, 1979 - Jan 11, 1983
Legislatures: 67th ⁽⁸⁾ ⁽⁹⁾ 66th 67th ⁽⁸⁾ ⁽⁹⁾
Dean of the Senate. (62nd)
(62nd)
(62nd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 11
Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 9, 1979
Legislatures: 64th 65th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 11
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975
Legislatures: 63rd ⁽¹⁰⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 7
Jan 12, 1971 - Jan 9, 1973
Legislatures: 62nd ⁽¹¹⁾ ⁽¹²⁾
Senate President Pro Tempore (62nd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 7
Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 12, 1971
Legislatures: 60th ⁽¹³⁾ 61st
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 22-12
Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967
Legislatures: 59th ⁽¹⁴⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 22-12
Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965
Legislatures: 58th ⁽¹⁵⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Pasadena / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Biographical Information top

Selected newspaper articles

Resolutions and Journal entries

69th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 12. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
72nd Legislature, 3rd C.S., SR 88. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
72nd Legislature, 4th C.S., SR 14. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
73rd Legislature, R.S., SR 195. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.

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.
Chester Edward "Chet" Brooks. Texas State Cemetery.

Military Service Notes

United States Navy. 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.

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

This website is a work in progress. Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.

Party information is not available for the 1st-11th Legislatures.

Have a question, comment or contribution? Email the Library or call 512-463-1252.

Many photos in Texas Legislators: Past and Present are used with permission of the Texas State Preservation Board. For permission to reproduce these photos, please contact the Texas State Preservation Board graphics coordinator at 512-475-3060.