By: Armbrister S.R. No. 505
1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION
1-2 WHEREAS, Saint Joseph High School in Victoria, Texas,
1-3 is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding on
1-4 March 28, 1993, and the Texas Senate is pleased to extend
1-5 congratulations on this important milestone; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Throughout the past century and a quarter,
1-7 the concerned residents of the City of Victoria have supported
1-8 Saint Joseph's School and worked diligently to provide the best
1-9 possible educational opportunities for their children; and
1-10 WHEREAS, The commitment and support of the members
1-11 of many Victoria families have been a source of inspiration
1-12 and encouragement for its students, teachers, staff, and
1-13 administrators; and
1-14 WHEREAS, The city's only Catholic high school,
1-15 Saint Joseph's Institute was founded in 1868 as a school
1-16 for boys by French-born Father Augustine Gardet, pastor of
1-17 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; built on the site of the present
1-18 post office, the first building was enlarged in 1872 to house
1-19 boarding students; and
1-20 WHEREAS, By 1880 the school functioned as a seminary and
1-21 parish school under the direction of the Reverend Lawrence Wyer
1-22 and was named Saint Joseph's College and Seminary; after his death
1-23 the school was temporarily closed until it was reopened in 1906 by
2-1 the Brothers of Mary, a teaching religious order; and
2-2 WHEREAS, In 1919, the school became a standard four-year
2-3 high school, although poor housing conditions prevented state
2-4 accreditation; plans for building a new school were begun in
2-5 1935 and the Saint Joseph Educational Foundation was formed to
2-6 raise funds and formulate plans; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Mrs. James F. Welder, Sr., sold a portion
2-8 of the Victoria District Fairgrounds for the site of the new
2-9 school and the new building was completed and furnished in 1938
2-10 completely free of debt; as enrollment increased dramatically
2-11 in the 1940s, a new classroom building was built; and
2-12 WHEREAS, More changes occurred in 1970 when the school
2-13 came under the administration of the Sisters of the Incarnate
2-14 Word and Blessed Sacrament, sharing students and faculty with
2-15 Nazareth Academy; in 1975 the schools were consolidated; and
2-16 WHEREAS, The school continued to expand to the present
2-17 day; a new athletic facility was dedicated in 1983 followed by
2-18 the completion of a new administration building, chapel, and
2-19 library center in 1989; and
2-20 WHEREAS, Saint Joseph High School continues to play a
2-21 vital role in the life of the community and the state; its
2-22 graduates have become leaders in religious, business, civic,
2-23 and athletic activities; and
2-24 WHEREAS, Ninety-eight percent of the school's seniors
2-25 attend college with over one-half of the recent graduates
3-1 earning scholarships; and
3-2 WHEREAS, The dedication to educational excellence exhibited
3-3 from the beginning has guided Saint Joseph's High School forward
3-4 into the present to become a dynamic force that shapes the lives
3-5 of its students; now, therefore, be it
3-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
3-7 73rd Legislature, hereby recognize the 125th anniversary of
3-8 Saint Joseph High School and extend best wishes for a most rewarding
3-9 and memorable celebration; and, be it further
3-10 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-11 students, faculty, and staff as a memento of this momentous occasion
3-12 and as an expression of the high regard of the Texas Senate.
3-13 _____________________________________
3-14 President of the Senate
3-15 I hereby certify that the
3-16 above Resolution was adopted by
3-17 the Senate on March 25, 1993.
3-18 _____________________________________
3-19 Secretary of the Senate
3-20 _____________________________________
3-21 Member, Texas Senate