posted 12-03-2019 01:15 PM               

Apollo 16 moonwalker is first astronaut to be named Texan of the Year

An astronaut who walked on the moon almost 50 years ago is entering the new year with a new title in recognition of the state he has called home since he returned to Earth.

Charles Duke, who became the 10th and youngest person to step foot on the lunar surface in 1972, has been named the 2020 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference, a non-partisan, statewide policy and business forum that for 54 years has been held in New Braunfels, Duke's hometown since 1975.

"It is very special to me to be honored as the Texan of the Year," said Duke. "We sort of adopted Texas as our home. Starting my career as an astronaut here in Texas was very, very special."