1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 617

 1-3           WHEREAS, This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jose Luz

 1-4     Saenz Elementary School in the community of Alice, and this

 1-5     event is indeed a momentous occasion worthy of special legislative

 1-6     recognition; and 

 1-7           WHEREAS, On February 4, 1947, the Board of Trustees of the

 1-8     Alice Independent School District decided to build an elementary

 1-9     school at the corner of Johnson and Palo streets; on April 28 of

1-10     that same year, board members voted to name the new facility

1-11     Jose Luz Saenz Elementary School in honor of this accomplished

1-12     Alice educator; and 

1-13           WHEREAS, Born in Realitos, Mexico, in 1888, Jose Luz Saenz

1-14     was one of eight children born to Rosalio and Chrispina Saenz; as a

1-15     young man, he was graduated from Alice High School in May, 1908, and

1-16     went on to distinguish himself as a member of the United States Army

1-17     in France during World War I; and 

1-18           WHEREAS, Serving until July 17, 1919, Mr. Saenz kept a

1-19     diary during his tour of duty, which was later published as a

1-20     book entitled Mexicanos-Americanos en la Gran Guerra Mundial

1-21     (Mexican Americans in the Great World War), and his articles

1-22     appeared in the Valley Evening Star, La Prensa, La Verdad,

1-23     La Voz, Texas Outlook, and other publications; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, this fine gentleman worked

 2-2     diligently to enhance the lives of Mexican Americans in Texas, and

 2-3     he went on to become one of the principal founders of the League of

 2-4     United Latin American Citizens (LULAC); and

 2-5           WHEREAS, Today, Jose Luz Saenz Elementary School stands in

 2-6     fitting tribute to the memory of this distinguished individual;

 2-7     since its founding, the school has benefited greatly from the

 2-8     guidance and leadership of a series of dedicated principals,

 2-9     including Robert Storey, Eugene Garcia, Joe Dominguez, Candelario

2-10     Ruiz, and Mimi Vidaurri, the current principal; and 

2-11           WHEREAS, During their years with the school, each of

2-12     these principals and their teaching colleagues have helped to

2-13     move the school's students forward in their drive to achieve

2-14     academic excellence; their efforts were tangibly acknowledged

2-15     on October 20, 1990, when the school was named the recipient of

2-16     a Governor's Excellence Award and given a monetary prize in the

2-17     amount of $21,467; and

2-18           WHEREAS, Through the years, Jose Luz Saenz Elementary School

2-19     has laid a strong foundation for many students who have since

2-20     become doctors, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, nurses,

2-21     teachers, and other professionals; helping to shape tomorrow's

2-22     leaders with pride and determination, the school continues with

2-23     each passing year to open young minds and provide countless

2-24     schoolchildren with the tools they will need to become happy

2-25     and productive members of society; now, therefore, be it

 3-1           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

 3-2     75th Legislature, hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary

 3-3     of Jose Luz Saenz Elementary School and honor the school's

 3-4     outstanding principal and staff for their continuing

 3-5     contributions to the schoolchildren of Alice; and, be it

 3-6     further

 3-7           RESOLVED, That the Texas Senate further applaud the

 3-8     educational tradition exemplified by Jose Luz Saenz, honor his

 3-9     memory, and extend heartfelt appreciation to the members of his

3-10     family for the remarkable contributions he made to the public

3-11     school system of Texas; and, be it further

3-12           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be

3-13     prepared for the Saenz family and for prominent display at

3-14     Jose Luz Saenz Elementary School as an expression of high

3-15     regard by the Texas Senate.

3-16                                                    Truan

3-17           Armbrister           Galloway            Ogden

3-18           Barrientos           Harris              Patterson

3-19           Bivins               Haywood             Ratliff

3-20           Brown                Lindsay             Shapiro

3-21           Cain                 Lucio               Shapleigh

3-22           Carona               Luna                Sibley

3-23           Duncan               Madla               Wentworth

3-24           Ellis                Moncrief            West

3-25           Fraser               Nelson              Whitmire

3-26           Gallegos             Nixon               Zaffirini

3-27                      Bullock, President of the Senate

3-28                                  ______________________________________

3-29                                          President of the Senate

3-30                                       I hereby certify that the above

3-31                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

3-32                                  on May 1, 1997.

3-33                                  ______________________________________

3-34                                          Secretary of the Senate

3-35                                  ______________________________________

 4-1                                            Dean of the Senate