H.C.R. No. 138
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. John F. Moss has ably served the vital cause of
1-2 higher education in Texas both as a professor and an administrator
1-3 during a distinguished career highlighted by his highly productive
1-4 23-year tenure as president of East Texas State University at
1-5 Texarkana; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Delta County, he pursued his higher
1-7 education at East Texas State University, where he attained his
1-8 bachelor of science degree in 1955 and his master's degree in
1-9 education in 1960; he continued his pursuit of academic excellence
1-10 at the University of Missouri, where he earned his doctorate in
1-11 education in 1962; and
1-12 WHEREAS, He began his long and rewarding career in education
1-13 as an outstanding classroom teacher with the Corpus Christi
1-14 Independent School District in 1955 and continued in that capacity
1-15 with the Dallas ISD when he relocated there in 1957; and
1-16 WHEREAS, This exemplary individual joined the faculty at East
1-17 Texas State University in 1962 as an assistant professor in
1-18 secondary and higher education; he attained full professorship in
1-19 1968 and in addition to his teaching duties became assistant dean
1-20 of the college of education; and
1-21 WHEREAS, When East Texas State University at Texarkana was
1-22 created in 1971, Dr. Moss was selected as president of the new
1-23 institution, and his tireless efforts and visionary approach were
1-24 the hallmark of his successful career there until his retirement in
2-1 1994; and
2-2 WHEREAS, Dr. Moss also has demonstrated outstanding
2-3 leadership as chairman of the Northeast Texas Quality Work Force
2-4 Committee, cochairman of the committee to establish a leadership
2-5 academy for rural small school professional educators, executive
2-6 secretary for the Texas Affiliate of the National Rural Education
2-7 Association, and president of the county chapter of the Texas State
2-8 Teachers Association; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Among the many other organizations and committees
2-10 that have benefited from his active membership are the Greater East
2-11 Texas Servicing Cooperation; the board of directors of St. James
2-12 School; the appeals committee, Southern Association, College and
2-13 Schools; the executive committee, Council of President, State
2-14 Colleges and Universities; the committee on instructional
2-15 technology, American Association of State Colleges and
2-16 Universities; the American Lung Association; and the United Way;
2-17 and
2-18 WHEREAS, In honor of his many accomplishments, the board of
2-19 regents of East Texas State University at Texarkana named the
2-20 library at that institution the John F. Moss Library in October
2-21 1994; and
2-22 WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, he has been blessed
2-23 with the encouragement and support of his wife of 36 years, the
2-24 former Peggy Wilhite; the couple maintain a close relationship with
2-25 their son, Kyle, and daughter-in-law, Shelly, and take special
2-26 delight in their two grandchildren, Devin and Nicholas; and
2-27 WHEREAS, Dr. John F. Moss throughout his life has sought to
3-1 foster excellence in higher education, and his many exceptional
3-2 achievements in this regard are indeed worthy of special
3-3 legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it
3-4 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-5 hereby commend Dr. John F. Moss on his outstanding record of
3-6 service to the citizens of this state as president of East Texas
3-7 State University at Texarkana and extend to him best wishes for
3-8 continued success in the future; and, be it further
3-9 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-10 prepared for Dr. Moss as an expression of high regard by the
3-11 Legislature of the State of Texas.