By Dutton H.R. No. 622
74R10417 SAJ-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, John Elliott Westberry has retired from his position
1-2 as an associate professor of mathematics at Texas Southern
1-3 University, drawing to a close his distinguished career as both an
1-4 educator and administrator; and
1-5 WHEREAS, An eminent scholar, he was valedictorian of his high
1-6 school class in North Carolina and received his undergraduate
1-7 degree from Livingstone College four years later; he went on to
1-8 earn graduate degrees from Atlanta University and the University of
1-9 Michigan and also studied graduate mathematics at The University of
1-10 Texas at Austin; and
1-11 WHEREAS, Professor Westberry served in the United States Army
1-12 in the 1940s, and he was one of only two men in his battalion to
1-13 receive the Certificate of Merit; he also drew upon his extensive
1-14 expertise and experience to serve on a Department of Defense task
1-15 force on education during the Vietnam War; and
1-16 WHEREAS, He began his noteworthy tenure with Texas Southern
1-17 University in 1950 and offered wise and thoughtful guidance to
1-18 eight university presidents during 29 years of service as the
1-19 school's registrar; and
1-20 WHEREAS, This respected gentleman continued to make many
1-21 substantial contributions to his chosen field as president of the
1-22 Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
1-23 and as secretary-treasurer of the American Association of
1-24 Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; he graciously served
2-1 as chairman of local arrangements when the national group met in
2-2 Houston, and he coauthored its publication, Certification of
2-3 Students Under Veterans' Laws; and
2-4 WHEREAS, He is similarly well regarded for his exceptional
2-5 tenure as an associate professor of mathematics; recognized
2-6 throughout the university as an excellent teacher, he has also
2-7 earned a well-deserved reputation as a problem-solver and
2-8 consistently has made time in his busy schedule to help students
2-9 with almost any type of school-related problem; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Professor Westberry has led a full and active life
2-11 and greatly enjoys the many close friendships he has formed as an
2-12 esteemed member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity; a member since
2-13 college, he has graciously served his fraternity brothers in
2-14 leadership capacities at several organizational levels and served
2-15 as national president for three years; and
2-16 WHEREAS, His remarkable professional career has earned him
2-17 many prestigious accolades; he has been listed in several Who's Who
2-18 publications, including the Marquis Who's Who in the World, and for
2-19 three years, he was listed in Ebony Magazine as one of the 100 most
2-20 prestigious African Americans in the country; and
2-21 WHEREAS, Throughout his many endeavors, Professor Westberry
2-22 has enjoyed the love and support of his devoted wife, Maxine Willis
2-23 Westberry, and the couple's two fine children; over the years,
2-24 their close-knit family has continued to grow, and the Westberrys
2-25 now delight in the company of four grandchildren; and
2-26 WHEREAS, Professor Westberry's outstanding service throughout
2-27 his tenure with Texas Southern University has greatly benefited the
3-1 State of Texas, and his exceptional professionalism and dedication
3-2 serve as a source of inspiration to the many people who have come
3-3 to know him; now, therefore, be it
3-4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-5 Legislature hereby honor John Elliott Westberry for his exemplary
3-6 service to the citizens of Texas and extend warmest best wishes to
3-7 him for a happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-9 prepared for Professor Westberry as an expression of high regard by
3-10 the Texas House of Representatives.