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