1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 924 1-3 WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes great pleasure in 1-4 recognizing Mary Epperson Jones Ridge for her magnificent 1-5 contributions to the citizens of Harris and Chambers counties; 1-6 and 1-7 WHEREAS, Known as "Aunt Mary" to countless children and 1-8 adults in the area, Mary Ridge is now teaching and nurturing 1-9 a third generation of homeless children; her commitment to the 1-10 welfare and education of young children has earned her the 1-11 gratitude and respect of parents, teachers, and community 1-12 leaders; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Born in La Salle County, Mary graduated from 1-14 Cotulla High School and married Charles Ridge in 1947; during 1-15 the time she was raising her four children, she pursued a college 1-16 education; after graduating from the University of Houston with a 1-17 bachelor's degree in education, she earned a master's degree in 1-18 education from Texas A&M University; and 1-19 WHEREAS, For the past 25 years Mary has taught school 1-20 in Baytown for the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School 1-21 District; she was responsible for starting kindergarten classes 1-22 in Baytown to prepare disadvantaged children for the first grade; 1-23 and 2-1 WHEREAS, The wonderful gifts she has imparted to children 2-2 have enriched their lives and prepared them for adulthood; her 2-3 commitment to nurturing and instructing the very young has given 2-4 the children a sense of self-esteem and well-being; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Director of Education at Trinity Assembly of God 2-6 Church in Baytown for the past 20 years, Mrs. Ridge is a lay 2-7 leader of the San Jacinto District Assembly of God Children's 2-8 Education program; the Vacation Bible School she started with only 2-9 a few boys and girls increased its attendance to more than 400 2-10 children a day last year; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Despite her busy schedule, Mrs. Ridge has 2-12 devoted much of her time and abilities to charity events and 2-13 youth organizations within the Baytown, Chambers County, and 2-14 Harris County areas; and 2-15 WHEREAS, Her love for children is reflected in her devotion 2-16 to their needs and to her contributions to the community; the 2-17 people of Texas have benefitted greatly from the achievements of 2-18 this exemplary Texan; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-20 75th Legislature, hereby commend Mary Epperson Jones Ridge for 2-21 her lifetime of service to the citizens of her community; and, 2-22 be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-24 this distinguished lady as an expression of the gratitude and 2-25 high regard of the Texas Senate. 3-1 Patterson 3-2 ______________________________________ 3-3 President of the Senate 3-4 I hereby certify that the above 3-5 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-6 on May 29, 1997. 3-7 ______________________________________ 3-8 Secretary of the Senate 3-9 ______________________________________ 3-10 Member, Texas Senate