H.R. No. 720 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Frances Willis, director of vocational education 1-2 at Denison High School, will retire on June 15, 1993, after 51 1-3 years of exceptional service to the students, staff, and residents 1-4 of Denison as an educator, role model, and community leader; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of this charming North Texas city, Dr. 1-6 Willis was educated at nearby Southeastern Oklahoma State 1-7 University, where she majored in mathematics and home economics; 1-8 after her graduation in 1939, this talented scholar then accepted a 1-9 graduate assistantship at Oklahoma University and pursued her 1-10 studies in vocational home economics; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Determined to make a difference in the lives of 1-12 those around her, she began her career in education as a teacher at 1-13 Caddo High School in Caddo, Oklahoma, during the autumn of 1940; 1-14 she returned to the Lone Star State two years later, where she 1-15 served as a teacher at Denison High School and began a dedicated 1-16 and rewarding career with the Denison Independent School District 1-17 that would last more than half a century; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Known by students and colleagues alike for her 1-19 uncompromising integrity and dedication, this remarkable woman has 1-20 devoted her life to education, encouraging and supporting those 1-21 around her as well as pursuing her own studies; the recipient of a 1-22 master's degree in 1952, Dr. Willis received her doctorate from 1-23 Texas Woman's University in 1976, one day before her beloved son, 1-24 Benjamin Lee, was graduated from Austin College, and she has since 2-1 pursued postdoctoral work and earned vocational counselor 2-2 credentials; and 2-3 WHEREAS, She has brought enthusiasm and support to her 2-4 students as a classroom teacher and faculty sponsor for numerous 2-5 events and organizations at Denison High School; the advisor for 2-6 Y-Teens, Future Homemakers of America, and the student council, Dr. 2-7 Willis cosponsored the first "senior day" in 1970 and one year 2-8 later coplanned and executed the first outdoor graduation ceremony 2-9 in the school's history; and 2-10 WHEREAS, In 1974, this exemplary teacher began helping 2-11 students plan and prepare for their futures as Denison High 2-12 School's vocational counselor; shortly thereafter, she was placed 2-13 in charge of vocational administration, and during her impressive 2-14 tenure the school's vocational programs constructed six brick homes 2-15 complete with skylights, vaulted ceilings, and sunken floors and 2-16 completed numerous other projects; and 2-17 WHEREAS, A member of the American Vocational Association and 2-18 the North Texas Association of Directors, Supervisors, and 2-19 Counselors, Dr. Willis is an active and influential force in the 2-20 education profession at the local, regional, and national levels; 2-21 she has held key positions with the Texoma Tech Prep Steering 2-22 Committee Consortium, the Texas State Teachers Association 2-23 executive board for District 10, and the American Association of 2-24 University Women and has won accolades from the Denison Education 2-25 Association and Texas School Business magazine; and 2-26 WHEREAS, In addition to these many professional activities, 2-27 this distinguished Texan still finds time to work toward the 3-1 betterment of her community; a devoted member of the First Baptist 3-2 Church, she currently is a member of the Denison Chamber of 3-3 Commerce, the Friends of the Library program, and the Denison and 3-4 Sherman Concert Associations; and 3-5 WHEREAS, For more than half a century, Dr. Willis has 3-6 inspired, guided, and illuminated the lives of her students at 3-7 Denison High School, and her many contributions to education are 3-8 indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, 3-9 be it 3-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 3-11 Legislature hereby congratulate Frances Willis on the occasion of 3-12 her retirement as director of vocational education at Denison High 3-13 School and extend to her warmest best wishes for continued success 3-14 and happiness in her future endeavors; and, be it further 3-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-16 prepared for Dr. Willis as an expression of high esteem by the 3-17 Texas House of Representatives. 3-18 prepared for Dr. Willis as an expression of high esteem by the 3-19 Texas House of Representatives. 3-20 Seidlits 3-21 H.R. No. 720 3-22 _______________________________ 3-23 Speaker of the House 3-24 I certify that H.R. No. 720 was adopted by the House on May 3-25 21, 1993, by a non-record vote. 3-26 _______________________________ 3-27 Chief Clerk of the House