A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz

Full Name: Aaron Robert "Babe" Schwartz
Date of birth: July 17, 1926
Date of death: August 10, 2018

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	17	Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 13, 1981	65th 66th	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda
S	17	Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 11, 1977	63rd ⁽¹⁾ 64th	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda
S	17	Jan 14, 1969 - Jan 9, 1973	61st 62nd	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris
S	17	Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 14, 1969	60th ⁽²⁾	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris
S	17	Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967	59th ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston	Senate President Pro Tempore (59th)	Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston
S	17	Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965	58th ⁽⁵⁾	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston
S	17	Jan 9, 1960 - Jan 8, 1963	56th ⁽⁶⁾ 57th	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda
H	21-2	Jan 8, 1957 - Jan 13, 1959	55th	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Galveston
H	21-2	Jan 11, 1955 - Jan 8, 1957	54th	Democrat	Galveston / Galveston		Galveston

(1) 63rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/10/1973, pp. 12-13. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal.
(2) 60th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1967, p. 19. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal.
(3) 59th Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Ad Interim R.S., elected 5/31/1965; and 1st C.S., elected 2/14/1966. Senate Journal.
(4) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1966 due to redistricting. Reapportionment of Senate districts occurred in the 59th Legislature, Regular Session (1965), ch. 324 (SB 547). Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(5) 58th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/9/1963, p. 16. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal.
(6) Aaron R. Schwartz, in special election 1/9/1960, succeeded Jimmy Phillips, resigned 11/2/1959. Schwartz's first session in Senate was 57th Regular. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.

Terms of Service top

Senate District 17
Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 13, 1981
Legislatures: 65th 66th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda

Senate District 17
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 11, 1977
Legislatures: 63rd ⁽¹⁾ 64th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Galveston, Harris, Matagorda

Senate District 17
Jan 14, 1969 - Jan 9, 1973
Legislatures: 61st 62nd
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris

Senate District 17
Jan 10, 1967 - Jan 14, 1969
Legislatures: 60th ⁽²⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris

Senate District 17
Jan 12, 1965 - Jan 10, 1967
Legislatures: 59th ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾
Senate President Pro Tempore (59th)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston

Senate District 17
Jan 8, 1963 - Jan 12, 1965
Legislatures: 58th ⁽⁵⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston

Senate District 17
Jan 9, 1960 - Jan 8, 1963
Legislatures: 56th ⁽⁶⁾ 57th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda

House District 21-2
Jan 8, 1957 - Jan 13, 1959
Legislatures: 55th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Galveston

House District 21-2
Jan 11, 1955 - Jan 8, 1957
Legislatures: 54th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Galveston / Galveston
Counties in district: Galveston

Biographical Information top

Selected newspaper articles

Resolutions and Journal entries

64th Legislature, R.S., SR 632. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
65th Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 28. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
67th Legislature, R.S., HCR 57. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
71st Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 170. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
86th Legislature, R.S., HR 1302. Resolutions - Memorial.

Biographical Sketches

"At 90, Schwartz Still Fighting for Texas Beaches," 8/14/2016. Houston Chronicle.
Biographical sketch and photos, "In the Ring with Senator A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz," Points of Interest, Texas Treasures series, 7/12/2016. Legislative Reference Library.
Biographical sketch and photos, "“A Texas Treasure: A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz” on Display at LRL," Points of Interest, Texas Treasures series, 7/24/2018. Legislative Reference Library.
"Reporter Returns to Texas Capitol, Where Father's Voice Still Rings," by John Schwartz, 9/4/2013. New York Times.
Oral history interviews available in Oral History Collection, University of North Texas.
Book in LRL collection, L1803.8 P939. Privacy Legislation, 1975.
Biographical sketch and photo. Senate Biographies, 63rd Legislature, 1973.
Biographical sketch and photo. The Senators of Texas, 64th Session, 1975.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 66th Legislature, 1979.
Hiney, Jim. "Champion of the Little Guy." Spring 2002, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 4-12. Profiles former Texas Senator Babe Schwartz; discusses his authorship of legislation that affected Texas beaches and coastal areas; includes life history and photographs. Texas Shores.
Schwartz, Aaron Robert. Texas State Cemetery.

Military Service Notes

United States Navy, World War II. "He served on the USS Bennington, an aircraft carrier, in the Pacific Theater." Obituary, 8/13/2018. Galveston Daily News.
United States Navy, United States Air Force Reserve. Photo and salute. With Honor and Gratitude: A Special Thank You to Our Texas Senate Members Who Served Our Country, 2017.

Other Resources

Photo, Brothers Babe and Lou Schwarz. Donated Material.
Former State Senator (and Texas Legend) A.R. "Babe" Schwartz, 10/4/2009. Galveston Daily News.
"Galveston Beach Pays Tribute to Former Lawmaker," 5/26/2017. Houston Chronicle.
Delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention, 1974. Record of Proceedings, Texas Constitutional Convention: Official Journals, January 8 - July 30, 1974, 1975.
Notice of death, 8/15/2018 (update), 8/10/2018. Speaker of the House.
Mentioned in "Access Through the Lobby," 2/24/1995, pp. 14-17. Texas Observer.

Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators

Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1979.
Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1977.
Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1975.
Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1973.

Photographs

Photograph. A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, 66th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, 65th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz, 64th Legislature, Texas Senate
Photograph. A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, 64th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, 63rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, 62nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 61st Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 60th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 59th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 58th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 57th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 55th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. A.R. Schwartz, 54th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Senator Schwartz and his wife Marilyn stand by the sign for Galveston's Babe's Beach. Photo courtesy of Senator Schwartz., Donated Material
Photograph. A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz wears a boxing glove given to him by Lt. Governor Hobby., Legislative Reference Library
Photograph. A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz and Marilyn Schwartz., Texas Senate
Photograph. Senator Schwartz and his wife Marilyn attended the dedication ceremony for Galveston's Babe's Beach with their family. Photo courtesy of Senator Schwartz., Donated Material

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

56th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
57th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
58th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
59th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
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.
54th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
55th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.

Committee Information top

66th R.S. - 1979 Finance Jurisprudence Jurisprudence Subcommittee on Criminal Matters Natural Resources (Chair) Poet Laureate Selection, Special
65th R.S. - 1977 Administration Administration Subcommittee on Rules Beaches Delivery of Human Services in Texas Delivery of Human Services in Texas Subcommittee on Planning and Coordination (Chair) Delivery of Human Services in Texas Subcommittee on Services for 18-64 Age Group Finance Jurisprudence (Chair) Organizational Structure and Operation of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Special Poet Laureate Selection, Special
64th R.S. - 1975 Administration Administration Subcommittee on Rules Finance Government Operations (Little Hoover Commission) Subcommittee on Corrections Jurisprudence (Chair) Matagorda Island (Co-Chair) Reapportionment (Legislative Redistricting for House of Representatives), Interim Texas Coastal and Marine Council (Chair)
63rd R.S. - 1973 Administration Administration Subcommittee on Rules (Chair) Constitutional Convention Planning (Vice Chair) Finance Human Resources Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health and Welfare (Vice Chair) Jurisprudence (Chair)
62nd R.S. - 1971 Administration Coastal Lands and Waters (Chair) Education Environment Environmental Affairs, Interim Federal Programs and Relations Finance Human Resources (Chair) Nominations Privacy Rules (Chair) Rules of the Senate (Chair) State Departments and Institutions
61st R.S. - 1969 Aircraft Banking Beach Study (Chair) Education Federal Programs and Relations Finance Insurance Jurisprudence Military and Veterans Affairs Nominations Rules (Chair) Rules of the Senate (Chair) State Affairs State and Local School Disricts Financial Relationship (Committee of Eighteen) Tort Claims Act
60th R.S. - 1967 Beaches (Chair) Depuration of Oysters and Other Shellfish Jurisprudence Legislative, Congressional and Judicial Districts Military and Veterans Affairs Poverty in Texas Public Health State Affairs State Departments and Institutions (Vice Chair)
59th R.S. - 1965 Banking Jurisprudence Military and Veterans Affairs (Chair) Nominations Pleasure Island Privileges and Elections Public Health State Departments and Institutions
58th R.S. - 1963 Banking Constitutional Amendments Counties, Cities and Towns Game and Fish Jurisprudence Military and Veterans Affairs (Chair) Nominations (Vice Chair) Privileges and Elections
57th R.S. - 1961 Bay Development and Use Beach Development Constitutional Amendments Insurance Jurisprudence Military and Veterans Affairs (Vice Chair) Nominations
55th R.S. - 1957 Banks and Banking Constitutional Amendments Criminal Jurisprudence (Vice Chair) Judicial Districts (Vice Chair) Public Health
54th R.S. - 1955 Criminal Jurisprudence Game and Fisheries Highways and Roads Municipal and Private Corporations Public Printing

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.