By Tillery                                             H.R. No. 169
         76R5894 BE-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Mrs. Robin Gattis, Mrs. Betty Martinez, and their
 1-2     students at Seagoville Elementary School have been presented with a
 1-3     Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education from
 1-4     the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and this remarkable
 1-5     achievement is indeed worthy of special legislative recognition;
 1-6     and
 1-7           WHEREAS, In an effort to introduce kindergarten students to
 1-8     the concepts of economics and private enterprise, the class began a
 1-9     two-year project entitled "Wants versus Needs--Earning Money for
1-10     Things We Need First and Then for Things We Want" and formed a
1-11     company known as "Gattis & Martinez's Terrific Team"; and
1-12           WHEREAS, The company was designed to perform small jobs for
1-13     family and friends, with all the profits donated to the Spina
1-14     Bifida Association of Dallas; one of the students' classmates was
1-15     born with spina bifida, and by incorporating fundraising into the
1-16     economics unit, everyone gained far more than had been expected;
1-17     and
1-18           WHEREAS, Using a rainbow logo similar to the one used by the
1-19     Spina Bifida Association of Dallas, the students adopted the name
1-20     "Rainbows Are Special and Unique Just Like Our Friend, James" for
1-21     their project; their enthusiasm and success motivated the entire
1-22     school community and soon everyone was participating in this worthy
1-23     endeavor; and
1-24           WHEREAS, While the students learned the value of hard work,
 2-1     counting skills, denominations of currency, and even how to use a
 2-2     calculator, the community learned the importance of cooperation and
 2-3     common cause; by the course's end, 18 young students had helped to
 2-4     raise more than $600 for the Spina Bifida Association of Dallas and
 2-5     had grasped the very valuable fundamentals of private enterprise;
 2-6     and
 2-7           WHEREAS, The phenomenally successful "Rainbows Are Unique"
 2-8     project will continue at Seagoville Elementary School for the
 2-9     1999-2000 school year, and in light of its positive results and
2-10     unselfish ends, it is most appropriate to recognize all those
2-11     individuals connected with the program at this time; now,
2-12     therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-14     Legislature hereby congratulate Seagoville staff members Robin
2-15     Gattis and Betty Martinez and their class of dedicated students for
2-16     winning the Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise
2-17     Education, and extend to them and all those associated with the
2-18     school warmest best wishes for continued success and happiness;
2-19     and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared for prominent display at Seagoville Elementary School as a
2-22     reminder that great lessons can be carried by small messengers and
2-23     as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-24     Representatives.