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.