H.R. No. 202 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Ruth Tomlin retired from her post as a guidance 1-2 counselor with the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) in 1-3 December of 1994, drawing to a close a quarter century of 1-4 outstanding service to the young people of her community; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of New York, Dr. Tomlin was the first 1-6 African-American woman to graduate from the University of Mary 1-7 Hardin-Baylor; and although she initially was barred from entering 1-8 the university in 1964 because of segregation, she attended a 1-9 branch of the institution at Fort Hood, and was eventually able to 1-10 complete her undergraduate requirements at the university's main 1-11 campus in Belton and to earn a bachelor's degree in 1967--a 1-12 personal triumph she counts as one of the most meaningful in her 1-13 life; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The list of academic achievements that this gifted 1-15 scholar subsequently compiled while a student at Texas A&M 1-16 University includes a master's degree in education and education 1-17 psychology and a doctoral degree in education administration; and 1-18 WHEREAS, In addition to pioneering the way for minorities at 1-19 her alma mater, Dr. Tomlin also accomplished another notable 1-20 "first" when she joined Killeen High School as its first 1-21 African-American student teacher and counselor in 1966; and 1-22 WHEREAS, During her distinguished tenure with the KISD, this 1-23 consummate professional earned the respect and admiration of her 1-24 peers for her extraordinary work with young people at Killeen High 2-1 School and also was selected to share her expertise as a counselor 2-2 at the Killeen Alternative School, at the Middle Level Learning 2-3 Center, and, most recently, in the CVGA program; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Along the way, she gained the lasting friendship of 2-5 the generations of students she helped to lead productive lives, 2-6 many of whom remain in touch with her through cards and phone calls 2-7 from such distant points as California and Alaska; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Dr. Tomlin was named the recipient of a number of 2-9 well-deserved accolades for her professional excellence over the 2-10 years, including a human relations award that was presented to her 2-11 by the local and state Classroom Teachers Association; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Dr. Tomlin's list of significant achievements is not 2-13 limited to the educational arena; she also is a successful 2-14 businesswoman who is the president and chief executive officer of 2-15 her own counseling service, Adolescent and Family Counseling 2-16 Center, as well as a talented public speaker; and 2-17 WHEREAS, A dedicated and cherished member of her community, 2-18 she has generously shared her time and leadership skills for many 2-19 years with numerous worthwhile organizations, including the Killeen 2-20 Chamber of Commerce, the free clinic committee, and the YMCA, to 2-21 name but a few; and 2-22 WHEREAS, Though she has retired from her duties at the KISD, 2-23 this dynamic individual plans to remain active in her field by 2-24 further developing her counseling service and her public speaking 2-25 career; and 2-26 WHEREAS, Truly a pillar of her community, Dr. Ruth Tomlin has 2-27 displayed tremendous dedication, talent, and compassion in all of 3-1 her endeavors and has dedicated much of her life to helping others 3-2 reach their full potential; in light of her many significant 3-3 contributions to her community, she is indeed deserving of special 3-4 praise and legislative recognition on the occasion of her 3-5 retirement from the KISD; now, therefore, be it 3-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-7 Legislature hereby commend Dr. Ruth Tomlin for her exemplary record 3-8 of service to the Killeen Independent School District and extend to 3-9 her sincere best wishes for continued success and fulfillment in 3-10 the years to come; and, be it further 3-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-12 prepared for Dr. Tomlin as an expression of highest regard by the 3-13 Texas House of Representatives.