Midland Times

This week in Midland County history: Noteworthy events that shaped our past (April 21-27)
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David J. Porter Former member of the Texas Railroad Commission | Wikipedia

This week in Midland County history.

Born April 21, 1956. David Jerome Porter: Texan CPA and politician

Born on April 21, 1956, David Jerome Porter, an American politician and accountant, served on the Texas Railroad Commission from 2011 to 2017. Formerly practicing as a CPA in Midland, he later moved to Giddings. Porter's career included assisting Republican candidates and conservative organizations with financial compliance. He won the 2010 Republican primary, unseating Victor G. Carrillo, and secured the general election with 59.4% of the votes. Porter's tenure saw accomplishments such as creating a task force for Eagle Ford Shale fields and establishing the Texas Natural Gas Initiative.

April 26, 1986, marks the day of Bessie Love's death

Bessie Love, born Juanita Horton in Midland, Texas, pursued a prolific seven-decade career in American and British cinema, spanning silent to sound films. Notable for her early performances with D.W. Griffith and starring roles in silent films, she transitioned successfully to sound films with her Academy Award-nominated role in The Broadway Melody (1929). Despite a shift to semi-retirement during the decline of musical films, Love's versatility led her to theatre, radio, and British films during World War II. After a hiatus, she returned to acting in various mediums, leaving an enduring legacy. Love passed away on April 26, 1986, in Northwood, London, marking the end of an era in cinematic history.