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