R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Vevi Stevens celebrated her 90th birthday on October 1-2 27, 1996, and to her relatives and many friends, this event was a 1-3 truly joyous and memorable occasion; and 1-4 WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Matagorda County, Miss 1-5 Stevens has always believed in the importance of obtaining a 1-6 quality education; she balanced the professional demands of her 1-7 teaching career with the furtherance of her own studies, earning a 1-8 bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University and a 1-9 master's degree from the University of Houston, and she has gone on 1-10 to make higher education more attainable for many deserving Texans 1-11 by establishing the Stevens Family Scholarship Foundation at her 1-12 undergraduate alma mater; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Miss Stevens further demonstrated her abiding 1-14 commitment to education as a classroom teacher for 38 years; an 1-15 educator in the truest sense of the word, she helped and encouraged 1-16 her pupils to strive toward achieving their highest potentials, and 1-17 in doing so, she earned a special place in the hearts of countless 1-18 young Texans; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Her exceptional commitment has been a source of 1-20 inspiration to many people, and she earned well-deserved acclaim 1-21 for her remarkable tenure when she was named Bay City Teacher of 1-22 the Year in 1963; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Her commitment to her profession is surpassed only 1-24 by her devotion to her family; she operated her parents' ranch on 2-1 Caney Creek for many years, and she cared for both of her parents 2-2 in their time of need; and 2-3 WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, she has been sustained by her 2-4 faith as a devout member of Cedar Lane Baptist Church, where she 2-5 was a Training Union leader and program chair of the Women's 2-6 Missionary Union; she continues to serve her religious community 2-7 today by offering fellowship to nursing home residents; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Throughout her lifetime, Vevi Stevens has brought 2-9 much joy and happiness to the many people whose lives she has 2-10 touched; a deeply admired member of her community, she has earned 2-11 the special love and affection of all who are privileged to know 2-12 her; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby honor Vevi Stevens and extend warmest birthday 2-15 congratulations to this lovely lady; and, be it further 2-16 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-17 prepared for Miss Stevens as an expression of high regard by the 2-18 Texas House of Representatives. Uher _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 549 was adopted by the House on April 18, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House