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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
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In Memory |
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of |
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Opal Johnson Smith |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
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commemorates the life of Opal Johnson Smith, who died December |
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27, 2020, at the age of 86; and |
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WHEREAS, Born August 27, 1934, Opal Johnson was an esteemed |
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member of the Dallas community and a native of Nigton, Texas; she |
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graduated from high school at the young age of 15 and earned a |
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bachelor's degree in mathematics from Prairie View A&M |
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University before her 20th birthday; and |
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WHEREAS, Opal was an active member of the Dallas Prairie |
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View A&M University Alumni Chapter, and over the years, her |
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fund-raising prowess contributed greatly to the growth and |
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success of the university; she established the highly successful |
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Annual Athletic Scholarship Gala, and her work as co-chair for |
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the university's Capital Campaign led to more than $34 million in |
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funding; she was honored for her service and contributions to her |
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alma mater and the Prairie View A&M University Foundation in 2006 |
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with the dedication of the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, and in |
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2003, she was inducted into the National Black College Hall of |
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Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, A highly respected educational leader, Opal |
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earned a master's degree from the University of |
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Wisconsin-Madison and enjoyed a 35-year career in the Texas |
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public education system; she amassed numerous awards for her |
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outstanding service as a teacher and an administrator, and she |
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retired as the director of alternative certification for the |
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Dallas Independent School District; and |
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WHEREAS, Through all things, Opal enjoyed the love and |
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support of her husband of 62 years, Joe Edward Smith, a fellow |
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Prairie View alumnus who shared her enthusiastic commitment to |
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supporting and promoting education; they were blessed with four |
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children, who they guided by loving spiritual example, and their |
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eight grandchildren were a source of great pride and joy for her; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Opal Smith was a woman of great wisdom, kindness, |
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and generosity and was beloved by many, and her proud legacy of |
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service will continue to have an impact on the lives of Texas |
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citizens for years to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere |
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condolences to the bereaved family of Opal Johnson Smith; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Opal Smith. |
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West |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on July 22, 2021, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |