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Five decades ago, Ben Barnes was considered the golden boy in Texas politics. Passionate, driven, and courageous, Ben Barnes waged a successful campaign when he was in his early 20s; one that earned him a seat in the Texas legislature.

His charisma and passion for service gave Ben Barnes, politician, the respect of senior Texas politicians, particularly then President Lyndon B. Johnson, who even called the young Barnes “the next American President.”

In 1965, the 26-year-old Ben Barnes would climb up the political ladder to become Texas House Speaker, a validation of the trust he earned among his seasoned co-legislators. A prolific legislator, Ben Barnes authored bills that favored the underprivileged sectors of Texas society.

He championed the cause of labor by raising wages, established a minimum wage for farmers, increased salaries of teachers and tripled spending for higher education. After nine years as legislator, the people of Texas voted Ben Barnes the politician to occupy the powerful position of Lieutenant Governor in 1969.

Despite a political fallout stemming from false charges that led to his early exit in 1973, Ben Barnes remained a true statesman. Now heading his consultancy firm The Ben Barnes Group, he remains a visible and active advocate of public policy reforms and a dedicated volunteer to several nonprofit causes.