AUSTIN, Texas—Former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes will issue a wake-up call to Texas leaders during an April 10 lecture sponsored by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.
The talk, titled, A State at Risk, begins at 5 p.m. in the 8th floor Erwin Atrium of the LBJ Library and Museum. It is free and open to the public, and free parking is available on the LBJ Library parking lot at 26th and Red River streets.
Barnes was a prominent Texas political leader during the 1960s and 1970s. Elected to the Texas House of Representatives when he was in his early 20’s, he went on to become the youngest house speaker in Texas history. He served as lieutenant governor from 1969 to 1973.
Since leaving elective office, Barnes has become a successful business executive and civic leader. He is the founder of Entrecorp, a business consulting firm. He has served as a consultant, director or chairman of more than two dozen companies, including American Airlines, Dallas Bank and Trust, Grumman Systems Support Corporation and the Barnes/Connally Partnership.
Barnes has been active in a number of community service organizations, including the People’s Community Clinic, the Huntington Art Gallery and the Longhorn Foundation. His honors include the UT Distinguished Alumnus Award, recognition as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Men in America” by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce (1970), and two honorary law degrees.
Barnes’ speech will be followed by a reception in the Erwin Atrium.
