Happy 80th Birthday Doc!

[Charles L. Cotton]

Fellow Texans & CHL’ers everywhere:

This is an edited copy of an email I sent to Doc Brown, TSRA Legislative Director on his 80th Birthday. Jerry Patterson has been labeled the "father of Texas CHL" and Jerry deserves all the accolades he receives. He was and remains a staunch supporter of CHL in Texas. No one has fought harder over the years to pass, then improve, the Texas CHL statute.

As many know, and many do not, Doc Brown worked tirelessly for CHL in Texas for many, many years and was always a calm and reassuring voice as frustrations borne of failure mounted. I can remember him repeatedly telling me over the years, "Charles, we will get this done, we just need to stick with it." Doc hired Alice Tripp who has done an excellent job for us in Austin, as evidenced by improvements to the CHL statute that have been obtained in every legislative session since she came on board in 1998. But Doc remains active and is still the voice of reason and experience we all turn to. We all should honor this great man on his 80th birthday, so if you are inclined, please send an email to him at jtbrown@centex.net

Here is the edited email:

Doc:
Happy 80th birthday my friend! Many pages have fallen from the calendar since we met in 1989 and much has been accomplished. I can't help but chuckle when I read posts on the Internet about the history of the CHL effort in Texas. In truth, the warriors were few and, but for your work, Texas would be one of 7 states without CHL.

I have kept all of my CHL files over the years and I went through a few of them several months ago while reorganizing my home office. I saw letters to most folks involved, like Bill Carter, Roger Starkey, Jerry Patterson and a few others I can't recall at the moment. It brought back fond memories of the battle for CHL and my opportunity to have worked with you over the years. It's a shame that in nine short years, so many Texans have forgotten what we faced prior to May 16, 1995. Instead of being so enraged that we don't have reciprocity with every CHL state, we should be happy that the biggest "issues" we now face are reciprocity (that Texas AG Greg Abbott has greatly improved) and the cost of the license! In nine years, CHL has gone from being the lead negative story in every radio and TV newscast to a non-issue; just like we want.

As with all fights for freedom and constitutional rights, most warriors are all too soon forgotten as people settle in and enjoy the fruits of the labor of others. This is not a criticism, it's just a fact of life. But those of us who fought the battle for so long know what impact you had on the Texas CHL movement and we will never forget. We all should remember the name Doc Brown, just as quickly as we recall Jerry Patterson. Happy birthday Doc, I am proud and honored to know you and to call you my friend.

May the Lord bless you and Pat,
Chas.