By Clemons                                             H.R. No. 635
       74R10541 BNL-D
                                  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.