By Gutierrez H.R. No. 333 75R8055 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Penny Payte McLeaish, a teacher at Mission's 1-2 Sharyland High School, was accorded a great honor recently when she 1-3 was named a recipient of a Denius-UIL Sponsor Excellence Award for 1-4 1996-1997; and 1-5 WHEREAS, This prestigious accolade, cosponsored by the Effie 1-6 and Wofford Cain Foundation and the University Interscholastic 1-7 League, was established in 1991 to recognize outstanding teachers 1-8 who play a special role in the lives of young people as directors, 1-9 sponsors, or coaches of league activities; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Mrs. McLeaish was one of 10 teachers chosen to 1-11 receive the award after careful consideration of many qualified 1-12 candidates throughout the state, and her selection is truly 1-13 indicative of the esteem in which she is held by the education 1-14 community; and 1-15 WHEREAS, A graduate of Pan American College, she has been an 1-16 educator at Sharyland High School since 1955 and has shared her 1-17 enthusiasm for learning with several generations of Texans as an 1-18 instructor of English, American government, American history, and 1-19 debate; and 1-20 WHEREAS, She has further enhanced the educational experience 1-21 in her community as a coach for UIL academic competition, inspiring 1-22 students to win numerous state championships in both debating and 1-23 informative and persuasive speaking, and her outstanding skills and 1-24 warm and caring demeanor have helped current events teams to win in 2-1 competition at the district level in five of the last six years; 2-2 and 2-3 WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed educator has served her 2-4 community as past president of the Edinburg & McAllen League of 2-5 Women Voters and as an elector for President Bill Clinton in the 2-6 1992 and 1996 elections; in recognition of her many 2-7 accomplishments, she was selected last year as an Outstanding 2-8 Alumna of The University of Texas--Pan American; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Throughout all her endeavors, she has enjoyed the 2-10 love and support of her family, which includes her devoted husband, 2-11 Robert Burns McLeaish, and the couple's three children, Laurel 2-12 McLeaish, Heather McLeaish, and Jeremy McLeaish; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Penny McLeaish's outstanding commitment to the 2-14 schoolchildren of her community is truly a source of inspiration to 2-15 her colleagues, and it is a distinct privilege to honor her on the 2-16 occasion of her most recent achievement; now, therefore, be it 2-17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-18 Legislature hereby commend Penny Payte McLeaish for her many 2-19 significant accomplishments in the field of education and extend to 2-20 her warmest congratulations on her receipt of a Denius-UIL Sponsor 2-21 Excellence Award; and, be it further 2-22 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-23 prepared for Mrs. McLeaish as an expression of high regard by the 2-24 Texas House of Representatives.