By:  Seidlits                                          H.R. No. 720
       73R11011 KMP-D
                                  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.