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.