R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Benita Mendez Hernandez is retiring as a teacher at

 1-2     Southmayd Elementary School, drawing to a close a distinguished

 1-3     tenure in the field of public education that has spanned nearly 20

 1-4     years; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Mrs. Hernandez earned both a bachelor's degree and a

 1-6     master's degree in education from Texas Southern University; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, She began her noteworthy career with the Houston

 1-8     Independent School District as a teacher's aide in 1977, and during

 1-9     her years with Southmayd Elementary, she has been a positive role

1-10     model to countless children as a teacher of prekindergarten,

1-11     kindergarten, and the first and second grades; and

1-12           WHEREAS, This respected educator has further contributed to

1-13     her school as chairwoman of kindergarten and the second grade; a

1-14     vital and valued member of the faculty, she was honored as

1-15     Distinguished Bilingual Teacher of the Year in 1985; and

1-16           WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, Mrs. Hernandez has enjoyed the

1-17     love and support of her husband of 34 years, Robert S.  Hernandez,

1-18     and the couple's children, Rose, Robert Ray, Joseph Andrew, and

1-19     Cynthia Marie; in recent years, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez have

1-20     welcomed the addition of their children's spouses, Melissa and

1-21     Deborah, and their grandchildren, Monica, Michael, and Sarah, into

1-22     the family fold; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Benita Hernandez has greatly enhanced the quality of

1-24     education in Houston, and she is indeed worthy of special praise

 2-1     and recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it

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

 2-3     Legislature hereby congratulate Benita Mendez Hernandez on her

 2-4     outstanding service as a teacher at Southmayd Elementary School and

 2-5     extend to her warmest best wishes for a happy and rewarding

 2-6     retirement; and, be it further

 2-7           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-8     prepared for Mrs. Hernandez as an expression of high regard by the

 2-9     Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                      Davila

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 1378 was adopted by the House on June

         2, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House