By Kuempel H.R. No. 1033 74R13714 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Laneta Watson is retiring this year, drawing to a 1-2 close an outstanding career as an educator that has spanned more 1-3 than three decades; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A native Texan, she was born on September 2, 1939, 1-5 to Libbye and William Stefka in Temple and was reared in the 1-6 community of Bartlett; in 1950, she moved with her family to 1-7 Austin, which as the seat of state government, prompted Mrs. Watson 1-8 to become interested in politics from an early age; and 1-9 WHEREAS, After graduating from McCallum High School in 1957, 1-10 she began her education at The University of Texas at Austin and 1-11 went on to attend Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, where she 1-12 met and married Bob Watson; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Following her husband's graduation in 1962, the 1-14 couple moved to New Braunfels and Mrs. Watson completed her 1-15 bachelor's degree at Southwest Texas State University; shortly 1-16 thereafter, she was hired as a teacher at Comal Elementary School 1-17 and it was there that she met JoAnn Yates, who has remained her 1-18 best friend through thick and thin for the past 31 years; and 1-19 WHEREAS, While progressing in her career as an educator, 1-20 Mrs. Watson became a mother herself as the Watsons' happy marriage 1-21 was blessed with two wonderful daughters, Carolyn Suzanne and 1-22 Juliet Elizabeth; in 1972, Mrs. Watson was transferred to Goodwin 1-23 Primary School to teach kindergarten and, throughout the ensuing 1-24 years, she has played a vital role in helping countless students, 2-1 as well as her own beloved children, to grow into responsible 2-2 adults; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Along the way, she has experienced many proud 2-4 moments, watching her daughter Carolyn marry David Hampton and 2-5 become the mother of her three precious grandchildren, Benjamin, 2-6 Robert, and Katherine and her daughter Juliet be awarded her 2-7 master's degree from Southwest Texas State University and take a 2-8 position with the Comal Independent School District as a school 2-9 psychologist; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Though she has experienced many happy times and 2-11 cherished family memories, Mrs. Watson also has experienced some 2-12 difficult times when her life and her loved ones' lives were 2-13 touched by cancer; with her retirement, she is planning to 2-14 volunteer her time to benefit others who are working to maintain 2-15 their health and positive outlook while fighting cancer; and 2-16 WHEREAS, An active member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the First 2-17 United Methodist Church for many years, Mrs. Watson also has 2-18 devoted a great deal of her time outside the classroom to cooking, 2-19 and she has developed a widespread following among her extensive 2-20 circle of family and friends for her scrumptious baked goods, which 2-21 have been aptly described as "incredible" by their appreciative 2-22 recipients; and 2-23 WHEREAS, For 31 years, Laneta Watson's caring attitude and 2-24 diligence have made her community a measurably better place in 2-25 which to rear and educate children, and she has earned the lasting 2-26 respect and admiration of the citizens of the Comal Independent 2-27 School District for her valuable service; now, therefore, be it 3-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-2 Legislature hereby honor Laneta Watson for her exceptional tenure 3-3 in the field of public education and extend to her sincere best 3-4 wishes for a happy and rewarding retirement; and, be it further 3-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-6 prepared for Mrs. Watson as an expression of high regard by the 3-7 Texas House of Representatives.