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.