By Clemons H.R. No. 637 74R10543 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Joe W. Belk will retire from his position as a 1-2 teacher with the Huntington Independent School District in May 1-3 1995, drawing to a close his distinguished 41-year career as an 1-4 educator; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Cushing, Mr. Belk was educated in that 1-6 community's school system before entering Stephen F. Austin State 1-7 College; he graduated from college in 1954 and embarked on an 1-8 educational career with the Huntington school district that would 1-9 span more than four decades; and 1-10 WHEREAS, In addition to serving as superintendent of the 1-11 school district for five years, Mr. Belk has taught agriculture to 1-12 several generations of Huntington students; he has seen numerous 1-13 scientific and technological advances during his career, but he has 1-14 continued to instill in his students the same enthusiasm, 1-15 confidence, and pride that inspired the earliest farmers and 1-16 ranchers of the Lone Star State; and 1-17 WHEREAS, By imparting this sense of history to his students 1-18 as well as the fundamentals of agriculture, Mr. Belk has prepared 1-19 countless students to meet the challenges and responsibilities of 1-20 this vital Texas industry; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Belk has enjoyed the love 1-22 and support of his wife, Marie Denney Belk, and their children, 1-23 Denise Belk Wilcox and Craig Belk; in recent years, his family has 1-24 grown to include two grandchildren, Blake and Ryan Wilcox, both of 2-1 whom are a continuing source of joy and delight to their 2-2 grandfather; and 2-3 WHEREAS, This respected educator can be justifiably proud 2-4 that a second generation of the Belk family will continue his 2-5 legacy of dedication and commitment, as Denise Wilcox has followed 2-6 in her father's footsteps to become a teacher with the Lufkin 2-7 school district; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Joe W. Belk truly embodies the spirit of service and 2-9 dedication to learning that is the hallmark of a great teacher; he 2-10 has made a real and lasting difference in the lives of many of his 2-11 students, and the success of those students is perhaps the greatest 2-12 testimonial that any teacher can receive; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor Joe W. Belk for his many years of service 2-15 as a school teacher and extend to him warmest best wishes for a 2-16 happy and fulfilling retirement; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-18 prepared for Mr. Belk as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-19 House of Representatives.