By:  Gallegos                                          S.R. No. 116

 1-1                                      1

 1-2                              SENATE RESOLUTION

 1-3           WHEREAS, Ezekial "Zeke" Perez was recently selected as the

 1-4     "National Association for Bilingual Education's Bilingual Teacher

 1-5     of the Year for 1997," and the Texas Senate takes pleasure in

 1-6     recognizing him for his exceptional contributions to education; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, Sponsored by Scholastic, Incorporated, the

 1-8     notable award will be presented to Mr. Perez at the 26th annual

 1-9     conference of the National Association for Bilingual Education

1-10     on Friday, February 7, 1997, during the awards luncheon in

1-11     Albuquerque, New Mexico; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Mr. Perez qualified for the honor through his

1-13     ability to inspire limited English proficient students of various

1-14     backgrounds and abilities to learn; and

1-15           WHEREAS, A gifted and creative educator, Mr. Perez has

1-16     demonstrated in his teaching his personal values including cultural

1-17     sensitivity, high expectation, and commitment to the education of

1-18     linguistically diverse students; and

1-19           WHEREAS, A member of the Houston Independent School District

1-20     faculty, Mr. Perez has taught kindergarten for the past eight years

1-21     and has served as District Volunteer Coordinator training parent

1-22     leaders; and

1-23           WHEREAS, He has earned the admiration and respect of his

 2-1     colleagues during his tenure at Felix Tijerina Elementary School

 2-2     and has been selected for several bilingual teaching honors; in

 2-3     1996, he was chosen Teacher of the Year and East District Bilingual

 2-4     Teacher of the Year by the Houston Independent School District; and

 2-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Perez was also chosen Bilingual Teacher of

 2-6     the Year in 1996 by the Houston Area Association for Bilingual

 2-7     Education and the Texas Association for Bilingual Education; and

 2-8           WHEREAS, The students of Zeke Perez have benefitted

 2-9     immeasurably from the caring spirit of this dynamic educator,

2-10     who has given generously of his time and talent to instill in

2-11     young people the language skills they will need in their future

2-12     endeavors; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

2-14     75th Legislature, hereby congratulate Ezekial "Zeke" Perez for

2-15     the prestigious honor bestowed on him and extend best wishes for

2-16     continued success in his profession; and, be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

2-18     him as an expression of the high regard and appreciation of the

2-19     Texas Senate.

2-20                                 ______________________________________

2-21                                         President of the Senate

2-22                                      I hereby certify that the above

2-23                                 Resolution was adopted by the Senate

2-24                                 on February 5, 1997.

2-25                                 ______________________________________

2-26                                         Secretary of the Senate

2-27                                 ______________________________________

2-28                                          Member, Texas Senate