H.R. No. 635 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Jim E. Thomas will retire from his position as a 1-2 mathematics teacher for the Huntington Independent School District 1-3 in May 1995, thus drawing to a close his distinguished 32-year 1-4 career as an educator; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Huntington, Mr. Thomas graduated from 1-6 Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown; he then served his country 1-7 with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Army, 1-8 completing a two-year tour of duty in Korea; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After earning a bachelor of science degree in 1-10 biology from Lamar University, Mr. Thomas embarked on a deeply 1-11 rewarding career as a teacher, but he continued to further his own 1-12 intellectual development by successfully pursuing a master of 1-13 education degree from Texas A&M University; and 1-14 WHEREAS, This esteemed educator taught at La Porte Junior 1-15 High School, Sterling High School, and Lufkin High School before 1-16 returning to his hometown, where he has taught at Huntington junior 1-17 high and high schools for the past 20 years; during that time, he 1-18 has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and students 1-19 alike, and all of them will miss the dedication and professionalism 1-20 that he brought to his classroom; and 1-21 WHEREAS, While most of his peers were spending their summers 1-22 enjoying some well-deserved rest, Mr. Thomas retreated from the 1-23 demands of urban life by serving as a park ranger at Rocky Mountain 1-24 National Park and Sequoia National Park; this unique summer 2-1 employment allowed him to combine his talent for educating others 2-2 with his love of the outdoors, and the eight summers that he spent 2-3 as a national park ranger greatly enriched his life; and 2-4 WHEREAS, It therefore comes as no surprise that Mr. Thomas 2-5 plans to enjoy an active retirement, and he is looking forward to 2-6 traveling and indulging in his favorite outdoor hobbies, which 2-7 include bird watching, horticulture, and astronomy; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Jim E. Thomas has dedicated much of his life to the 2-9 field of education, and in doing so he has enriched the lives of 2-10 countless young Texans; by helping to shape the leaders of 2-11 tomorrow, Mr. Thomas has ensured that the future of Texas is in 2-12 very capable hands; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor Jim E. Thomas for his many years of 2-15 service as a school teacher and extend to him warmest best wishes 2-16 for a happy and fulfilling retirement; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Mr. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the 2-19 Texas House of Representatives.