By Naishtat H.R. No. 1347 75R17537 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Dr. Ruth A. Kane, principal of Austin's Lanier High 1-2 School, has contributed greatly to public education in this state 1-3 and nation, and in recognition of her exceptional service, she has 1-4 been named a 1997 Reader's Digest American Hero in Education; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Now in its ninth year, the award is cosponsored by 1-6 the Reader's Digest Association, Inc., the American Federation of 1-7 Teachers, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, 1-8 the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the 1-9 National Education Association, and this prestigious accolade is 1-10 truly indicative of the esteem in which Dr. Kane is held by her 1-11 colleagues in the profession; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Since becoming principal of Lanier High School four 1-13 years ago, she has transformed the school into a source of pride 1-14 for the community and a model for the Austin Independent School 1-15 District, the state, and the nation; and 1-16 WHEREAS, In addition to strengthening the school's 1-17 curriculum, she has introduced several innovative and successful 1-18 programs and classes, including the Student Advisory Council, the 1-19 Student Safety Force, and the CARE class for ninth graders, which 1-20 covers everything from study skills to self-concept, and Lanier's 1-21 athletics and fine arts programs have been thriving under her watch 1-22 as well; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Dr. Kane's remarkable efforts can best be measured 1-24 by the academic success of her students; the school has moved from 2-1 having the highest percent of students receiving at least one 2-2 failing grade to having the third most successful passing rate in 2-3 the district, and scores on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills 2-4 (TAAS) test have also improved for all students; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Dr. Kane has offered her expertise to the greater 2-6 community as a member of the Mayor's Truancy Task Force, the Joint 2-7 Juvenile Crime Task Force, and Leadership Austin, and she has also 2-8 been a grant consultant with the Texas Workforce Commission and a 2-9 volunteer at the Travis County Jail; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Her vast accomplishments have brought her 2-11 well-deserved acclaim, for in addition to receiving commendations 2-12 from the Association of the U.S. Army and the Vietnam Veterans 2-13 Association, she has been honored with the Austin Quality Award, 2-14 the Keep Austin Beautiful Award, and the Rainbow Award, and she has 2-15 been listed in Who's Who Among American Educators; and 2-16 WHEREAS, Ruth Kane has worked diligently to improve the 2-17 quality of education and life in her community, and her commitment 2-18 serves as a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to know 2-19 her; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby honor Dr. Ruth A. Kane on being named a 1997 2-22 Reader's Digest American Hero in Education and extend to her 2-23 warmest best wishes for continued success and happiness in the 2-24 future; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Dr. Kane as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-27 House of Representatives.