By Coleman H.R. No. 60 76R10667 BE-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Joe H. Martel on March 22, 1998, 1-2 at the age of 64, brought a great loss to the family and many 1-3 friends of this renowned educator, though his life's work with 1-4 students in the sciences is an enduring legacy and indeed merits 1-5 special legislative recognition; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Born December 25, 1933, to Heston and May Martel, 1-7 Dr. Martel was a 1951 graduate of Houston's Jack Yates High School; 1-8 a star football player, two of his records remain unbroken; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A superb scholar as well, Dr. Martel attended Texas 1-10 Southern University where he earned both a master's degree and a 1-11 doctorate in education; after recognized service in the U.S. Army, 1-12 Dr. Martel began his career in education with the Houston 1-13 Independent School District (HISD); and 1-14 WHEREAS, Principal of Cullen Middle School for almost two 1-15 decades, Dr. Martel had a positive effect on the lives of countless 1-16 Lone Star students; his ability to combine humor, compassion, and 1-17 openness into the curriculum encouraged and attracted young 1-18 scholars; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Dr. Martel retired from HISD in 1990 after many 1-20 years of committed and celebrated service and began a second career 1-21 with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1-22 Washington, D.C.; and 1-23 WHEREAS, This man of remarkable energy and dedication began 1-24 an affiliation with Oklahoma State University, a NASA contractor, 2-1 as an adjunct professor and headed the Urban Community Education 2-2 Program in Washington for eight years; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Testament to the admiration and respect colleagues 2-4 and students alike held for Dr. Martel is the establishment by NASA 2-5 and OSU of a permanent memorial collection of aerospace education 2-6 books; the collection will focus on math and science, with a 2-7 special emphasis on books authored by or about African Americans in 2-8 the sciences, and will be housed at Cullen Middle School, where Dr. 2-9 Martel was for so long such a powerful force; and 2-10 WHEREAS, The collection, to be formally presented to HISD and 2-11 Cullen school officials on April 27, 1999, will create a splendid 2-12 memorial to a man who dedicated his life to educating and 2-13 motivating tomorrow's scientists, and it is justly fitting to honor 2-14 his memory at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-16 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and work of Dr. Joe H. 2-17 Martel and extend sincere sympathy to his wife, Rae, and to all the 2-18 family members and many friends of this esteemed gentleman; and, be 2-19 it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for Mrs. Martel and that when the Texas House of 2-22 Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joe H. 2-23 Martel.