By: Shapiro S.R. No. 909 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, James Russell Williams is retiring as director 1-3 of music education with the Tyler Independent School District, 1-4 bringing to a close a distinguished career in the field of music 1-5 education that has spanned an impressive 46 years; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams first earned renown for his musical 1-7 abilities as a student at Prairie View A&M University where he 1-8 also directed the school's marching band and jazz orchestra; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After graduation in 1947, he joined the 1-10 faculty of Crockett High School, where he organized and directed 1-11 a 60-member concert and marching band and was widely respected for 1-12 his organizational talents and outstanding musicianship; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Two years later, he accepted the challenge from 1-14 the principal of Emmett Scott High School in Tyler to establish a 1-15 band program in the city's African American community, which included 1-16 all of the city's black public schools as well as Texas College; and 1-17 WHEREAS, With a combination of community fundraising 1-18 efforts and the promise of a matching grant from the Tyler 1-19 Independent School District and after two years of hard work 1-20 and exceptional dedication, Mr. Williams had put band programs 1-21 into place at Emmett Scott Junior High School, Emmett Scott 1-22 Senior High School, and Texas College; and 1-23 WHEREAS, When increasing professional demands forced him 2-1 to choose between pursuing a career with the district or with the 2-2 college, Mr. Williams decided to remain with the district and for 2-3 20 years capably served as band director at Emmett Scott High School; 2-4 and 2-5 WHEREAS, Under his outstanding leadership, the high school 2-6 band earned many prestigious accolades, receiving 14 consecutive 2-7 sweepstakes awards and winning one national marching championship; 2-8 and 2-9 WHEREAS, When the school closed its doors in 1969, 2-10 Mr. Williams became stage band director at Robert E. Lee and 2-11 John Tyler high schools, and one year later was named director of 2-12 bands at John Tyler High School, where he served for nine years; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Widely regarded throughout the Tyler district for 2-14 his exceptional abilities and for his outstanding dedication to his 2-15 students, he was promoted to director of music education for the 2-16 district in 1979 and has ably served in that capacity since that 2-17 time; and 2-180 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is a dedicated professional who has 2-191 diligently worked to improve the quality of music education in his 2-202 community; he has been a life-shaping influence on his students, 2-213 and it is appropriate that he be honored on the occasion of his 2-224 retirement; now, therefore, be it 2-235 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-246 73rd Legislature, hereby commend James Russell Williams for his 2-257 many outstanding contributions to music education and extend to him 3-18 best wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further 3-29 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be 3-30 prepared for Mr. Williams as an expression of high regard from the 3-41 Texas Senate. 3-52 _____________________________________ 3-63 President of the Senate 3-74 I hereby certify that the 3-85 above Resolution was adopted by 3-96 the Senate on May 11, 1993. 3-107 _____________________________________ 3-118 Secretary of the Senate 3-129 _____________________________________ 3-130 Member, Texas Senate