1-1                                       1

 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 997

 1-3           WHEREAS, Joe M. Pirtle is retiring as Superintendent of the

 1-4     Belton Independent School District after 22 years of exceptional

 1-5     service, and the Texas Senate is proud to recognize this esteemed

 1-6     educator; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, The school district will deeply miss

 1-8     Superintendent Pirtle whose wisdom and experience have been

 1-9     invaluable to the schools in his district throughout his tenure;

1-10     and

1-11           WHEREAS, He has had a long and distinguished career in the

1-12     field of education, beginning in 1954 when he became a science

1-13     teacher and coach in the Belton Independent School District, and

1-14     he has spent his entire career there; and

1-15           WHEREAS, After graduating from Salado High School in 1948,

1-16     Joe Pirtle attended Temple Junior College before completing his

1-17     bachelor of science degree in physical education from Southwest

1-18     Texas State University in 1952; he earned his master of arts

1-19     degree in administrative education in 1958; and

1-20           WHEREAS, Mr. Pirtle served as an elementary principal and

1-21     junior high school principal until 1969 when he became director

1-22     of curriculum for the district; the dedicated educator played a

1-23     significant role in bringing about a high standard of education

 2-1     for the Belton Independent School District, and he became

 2-2     assistant superintendent in 1971; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, He has shared his knowledge and abilities with

 2-4     members of professional organizations at both the state and national

 2-5     levels and has served on numerous committees and boards throughout

 2-6     his distinguished career; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, In recognition of his magnificent contributions

 2-8     to education, Mr. Pirtle has been the recipient of numerous

 2-9     awards, including the Texas Industrial Vocational Association's

2-10     Texas Outstanding Administrator Award in 1993 and Region XII

2-11     Superintendent of the Year Award in 1994; and

2-12           WHEREAS, The respected educator has devoted his time and

2-13     energies to civic organizations and has earned the appreciation of

2-14     his community; he has received the Outstanding Citizen Award from

2-15     the chamber of commerce, Lion of the Year Award from the Lions Club,

2-16     and the Distinguished Service Award from Special Olympics; and

2-17           WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Pirtle has received the unfailing

2-18     support of his family who share his concern for the education of our

2-19     youth; his wife, Mary Nell, is a retired teacher, and his daughters,

2-20     Paula and Jane, are also teachers; and

2-21           WHEREAS, The citizens of Belton have been fortunate to have

2-22     had the sound judgment and leadership of Superintendent Pirtle

2-23     during periods of great change in the educational system of our

2-24     state; now, therefore, be it

2-25           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

 3-1     75th Legislature, hereby commend Superintendent Joe M. Pirtle for

 3-2     his meritorious service to the youth of Texas and express sincere

 3-3     appreciation to him for his unswerving devotion to the ideals of a

 3-4     quality education for all Texas citizens; and, be it further

 3-5           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him

 3-6     as an expression of the esteem of the Texas Senate with best wishes

 3-7     for many happy retirement years.

 3-8                                                                  Fraser

 3-9                                  ______________________________________

3-10                                          President of the Senate

3-11                                       I hereby certify that the above

3-12                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

3-13                                  on May 31, 1997.

3-14                                  ______________________________________

3-15                                          Secretary of the Senate

3-16                                  ______________________________________

3-17                                           Member, Texas Senate