By: Denton H.R. No. 357 73R6020 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, William Crockett recently retired as superintendent 1-2 of the Axtell Independent School District, bringing to a close a 1-3 distinguished career in the field of education that spanned more 1-4 than 30 years; and 1-5 WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in Bonham in 1949, 1-6 he attended Rice University where he earned renown as co-captain of 1-7 the 1952 football team and as an All-Southwest Conference player; 1-8 and 1-9 WHEREAS, Mr. Crockett interrupted his education when he 1-10 dutifully served his country during the Korean conflict as a member 1-11 of the United States Army, serving for 18 months in Japan and 1-12 Korea; and 1-13 WHEREAS, After the war, he returned to Texas and earned 1-14 bachelor's degrees in social studies and physical education from 1-15 East Texas State University; he earned a master's degree in 1-16 educational administration from that institution in 1961 and was 1-17 awarded a superintendent certificate from Tarleton State University 1-18 in 1977; and 1-19 WHEREAS, During the 1956-1957 school year, Mr. Crockett 1-20 served as teacher and coach with the Palestine Independent School 1-21 District, and over the next 13 years taught and coached athletics 1-22 at other schools in East Texas and the Waco area; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Widely respected by his colleagues for his 1-24 administrative and organizational abilities, he capably served as 2-1 principal of Northcrest Elementary School from 1969 to 1973 and as 2-2 principal of Connally High School from 1974 to 1976, advancing to 2-3 become assistant superintendent of the Connally Independent School 2-4 District in 1977; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Mr. Crockett began his distinguished 14-year tenure 2-6 as superintendent of the Axtell Independent School District in 2-7 1978, and under his guidance the school district has experienced an 2-8 exceptionally vibrant period of growth; Axtell Elementary School 2-9 was built in 1990, and a football and track complex is under 2-10 construction with plans to build a new high school as well; and 2-11 WHEREAS, A dedicated professional, Mr. Crockett has 2-12 diligently worked to improve the quality of education in his 2-13 community and has been a life-shaping influence on his students; he 2-14 has truly earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues and 2-15 the many teachers, students, and parents with whom he has been 2-16 associated; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby congratulate William Crockett for his 2-19 outstanding public service as superintendent of the Axtell 2-20 Independent School District and extend to him best wishes for a 2-21 happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for Mr. Crockett as an expression of high regard by the 2-24 Texas House of Representatives.