By Davis                                               H.R. No. 639

         75R11611 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Both as an educator and as a civic leader, Shirley

 1-2     Ison-Newsome has contributed greatly to the Dallas community, and

 1-3     her receipt of an award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus

 1-4     provides a most fitting opportunity to honor her for her noteworthy

 1-5     service; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, A native of Louisville, Kentucky, she was graduated

 1-7     from Indiana University before earning master's degrees from both

 1-8     the University of Louisville and The Ohio State University; and

 1-9           WHEREAS, Ms. Ison-Newsome began her teaching career in

1-10     Louisville, Kentucky, in 1972; after relocating to Dallas two years

1-11     later, she embarked on a rewarding tenure with the Dallas

1-12     Independent School District, and she was a teacher and principal

1-13     with several schools in the area before being named superintendent

1-14     of District 4 earlier this year; and

1-15           WHEREAS, This respected educator has also contributed to her

1-16     chosen field as a member of several professional organizations,

1-17     including the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the

1-18     Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National

1-19     Middle School Association, and the Association of Texas

1-20     Professional Educators; for nearly 20 years, Ms. Ison-Newsome has

1-21     served on numerous panels on the topic of education in the

1-22     community, and she has conducted many workshops for district

1-23     administrators as well; and

1-24           WHEREAS,  Her  vast  accomplishments  have  brought  her

 2-1     well-deserved acclaim, for she has been honored with the Celebrate

 2-2     Literacy Award by the International Reading Association and the

 2-3     Governor's Excellence in Academic Achievement Award; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, Ms. Ison-Newsome has further served the Dallas

 2-5     community through her work with the Political Congress of

 2-6     African-American Women, the National Association for the

 2-7     Advancement of Colored People, and the National Council of Negro

 2-8     Women; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, In addition, she has been involved with the Dallas

2-10     Urban League, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Black Methodist for

2-11     Church Renewal, and St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church;

2-12     and

2-13           WHEREAS, Shirley Ison-Newsome has enhanced the quality of

2-14     life in the Dallas community in numerous ways, and her exceptional

2-15     commitment is a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to

2-16     know her; now, therefore, be it

2-17           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-18     Legislature hereby honor Shirley Ison-Newsome for her exemplary

2-19     professional and civic involvement and extend to her heartfelt

2-20     congratulations on her receipt of an award from the Texas

2-21     Legislative Black Caucus; and, be it further

2-22           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-23     prepared for Ms. Ison-Newsome as an expression of high regard by

2-24     the Texas House of Representatives.