H.R. No. 736
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Dr. J. Raleigh Jackson, an esteemed resident of La
    1-2  Grange, has dedicated more than four decades of his life to
    1-3  improving the quality of public education in the State of Texas;
    1-4  and
    1-5        WHEREAS, This exemplary Texan began his long and
    1-6  distinguished career as an educator at La Grange High School, where
    1-7  he won the respect and admiration of both students and colleagues
    1-8  during his 10 years of teaching; he later joined the staff of Texas
    1-9  A&M University as a professor and teacher-trainer; while living in
   1-10  College Station, Dr. Jackson served five years as a member and two
   1-11  years as president of the A&M Consolidated Independent School
   1-12  District board of trustees; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, Leaving the Texas A&M faculty, Dr. Jackson brought
   1-14  his insight and expertise to the Brazosport Independent School
   1-15  District, developing and updating the district's curriculum as
   1-16  deputy superintendent before serving as the district's
   1-17  superintendent; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, In 1967, with the establishment of Brazosport
   1-19  College, Dr. Jackson applied his experience in teaching and
   1-20  administration to the field of higher education, becoming the
   1-21  institution's first president; he served with integrity and
   1-22  distinction in this capacity for 11 years, providing exceptional
   1-23  leadership during the college's formative years; and
   1-24        WHEREAS, A life member of the Parent-Teacher Association and
    2-1  the Texas State Teachers Association, this outstanding individual
    2-2  has worked closely with local, state, and national organizations to
    2-3  bring innovative teaching techniques to Texas classrooms; a past
    2-4  member of the Texas Association of School Administrators and the
    2-5  National Education Association, Dr. Jackson has served as president
    2-6  of the Texas Public Community/Junior College Association, as vice
    2-7  chairman of the Gulf Coast Region Educational Television
    2-8  Association, and as chairman of the Gulf Coast Junior College
    2-9  Intercollegiate Association; and
   2-10        WHEREAS, During his stellar career as an educator, he has
   2-11  garnered countless honors and awards, including listings in Who's
   2-12  Who in Texas, Personalities of the South, and Who's Who in American
   2-13  Colleges and Universities; he has championed the cause of education
   2-14  in the political arena as well, serving as speaker of the first
   2-15  Texas Silver-Haired Legislature and as chairman of both the Fayette
   2-16  County Political Action Committee and the Fayette County Republican
   2-17  Executive Committee; and
   2-18        WHEREAS, Following his retirement as president of Brazosport
   2-19  College, Dr. Jackson was named president emeritus of Brazosport
   2-20  College and today serves as an independent consultant for public
   2-21  schools and junior colleges throughout the Lone Star State; he also
   2-22  recently published a series of articles in the La Grange Journal
   2-23  that explored the challenges faced by educators today; and
   2-24        WHEREAS, In addition to his extraordinary work in the field
   2-25  of education, Dr. Jackson has given generously of his time and
   2-26  energy to many local civic and charitable organizations; an elder
   2-27  in his local Presbyterian church and president of the Lake Jackson
    3-1  Kiwanis Club, he also has served as charter commander for his local
    3-2  Veterans of Foreign Wars post, as charter chairman for the Brazoria
    3-3  County Boys Club of Brazosport, and as director of the First
    3-4  Capitol Bank, the Brazoria County United Way, and the Bay Area
    3-5  Council of Boy Scouts of America; and
    3-6        WHEREAS, This exemplary educator is a true inspiration to all
    3-7  Texas teachers, students, and citizens devoted to improving the
    3-8  quality of education in this state, and his many achievements are
    3-9  indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore,
   3-10  be it
   3-11        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   3-12  Legislature hereby commend Dr. J. Raleigh Jackson for his many
   3-13  notable contributions to public education in the State of Texas and
   3-14  extend to him warmest best wishes for continued success and
   3-15  happiness in his future endeavors; and, be it further
   3-16        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   3-17  prepared for Dr. Jackson as an expression of gratitude and highest
   3-18  esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.