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