By Smithee                                             H.R. No. 631

         75R11134 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Esther L. Plank of Canyon, on March

 1-2     29, 1997, at the age of 84, has brought a great loss to the family

 1-3     and many friends of this esteemed Texan; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, Born August 9, 1912, in Rogers, Arkansas, she was

 1-5     reared in Lipscomb County and earned a bachelor's and a master's

 1-6     degree, respectively, from West Texas A&M University and Colorado

 1-7     State College before she was awarded a doctorate from Columbia

 1-8     University; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, An esteemed educator, Ms. Plank began her teaching

1-10     career in a one-room schoolhouse on the Deal Ranch; at the close of

1-11     World War II, she helped organize Japan's public school system and

1-12     was rewarded for her substantial efforts with a presidential

1-13     citation from our country and a commendation from the Japanese

1-14     government; and

1-15           WHEREAS, This remarkable woman also coordinated the

1-16     Head-Start Program for all states west of the Mississippi, and she

1-17     went on to share her abundant knowledge and experience with the

1-18     next generation of educators as a professor at several colleges

1-19     before retiring from Hardin-Simmons University; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Ms. Plank further contributed to the field of

1-21     education by providing financial assistance for students completing

1-22     their college education, and  for many years, she helped Japanese

1-23     students come to our country to further their studies; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Throughout the years, she demonstrated an abiding

 2-1     commitment to her community, and the many worthy organizations that

 2-2     welcomed her active participation include the Panhandle Plains

 2-3     Historical Society and Commission, the First United Methodist

 2-4     Church, the Canyon Garden Club, and the Randall County Republican

 2-5     Party, which honored her for her stalwart service with its

 2-6     Outstanding Volunteer award; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, A woman of immense strength and vision, Esther Plank

 2-8     left an indelible mark on her state and nation, and though her

 2-9     presence will be deeply missed, her memory will live on in the

2-10     hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her; now, therefore, be

2-11     it

2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-13     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Esther L. Plank and

2-14     extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her

2-15     sister, Betty Dreiss of Houston; to her brother, W. Jay Plank of

2-16     Hillsborough, California; to her 16 nieces and nephews; and to the

2-17     many other friends and relatives of this lovely woman; and, be it

2-18     further

2-19           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-20     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas

2-21     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of

2-22     Esther L.  Plank.