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.