By: Holzheauser H.R. No. 148 73R3278 KMP-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, B. F. Erskine, the principal of Victoria High 1-2 School, will retire this summer after 41 years of exceptional 1-3 service to the students, staff, and residents of Victoria as an 1-4 educator, role model, and community leader; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Mr. Erskine moved to 1-6 his adopted home state of Texas in 1936, taking the Texas public 1-7 school system by storm as a precocious second grader; 13 years 1-8 later, he was graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with 1-9 an arts and sciences degree; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Embarking on a career with the Victoria school 1-11 system that would span more than four decades, he taught English at 1-12 Victoria Junior High School from 1949 until 1951, when this 1-13 patriotic citizen left Texas to serve in the United States Army 1-14 during the Korean War; and 1-15 WHEREAS, On his return to civilian life, Mr. Erskine earned a 1-16 master's degree in education from The University of Texas at Austin 1-17 and returned to Victoria to serve as principal of Patti Welder High 1-18 School, where he worked diligently for 13 years to give his 1-19 students the academic foundation needed to become successful in 1-20 college and the workplace; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Continuing his commitment to his own professional 1-22 development, this remarkable principal completed substantial course 1-23 work toward his doctorate during this time; a member of the 1-24 prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Texas Association 2-1 of Secondary School Principals, he is today widely recognized for 2-2 his outstanding work as a scholar and educator; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Dedicated to making Victoria a better place in which 2-4 to work and live, he also has been active in several civic and 2-5 charitable organizations; a past president and board member of the 2-6 Victoria Lions Club, this admirable gentleman has been a member of 2-7 the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and the First United 2-8 Methodist Church as well; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Despite his many civic and professional activities, 2-10 Mr. Erskine is above all else a devoted husband and father who 2-11 enjoys a happy and rewarding marriage with his wife, Cathy Workman 2-12 Erskine, and takes great pride in the accomplishments of his two 2-13 sons, Charles and Patrick Erskine; and 2-14 WHEREAS, This exemplary educator is a true inspiration to all 2-15 Texas teachers, students, and citizens devoted to improving the 2-16 quality of education in this state, and his many achievements are 2-17 indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, 2-18 be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby congratulate B. F. Erskine on the occasion of 2-21 his retirement as principal of Victoria High School and extend to 2-22 him warmest best wishes for continued success and happiness in his 2-23 future endeavors; and, be it further 2-24 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-25 prepared for Mr. Erskine as an expression of highest esteem by the 2-26 Texas House of Representatives.