R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor
1-2 Irene Cardenas Cardwell for her outstanding commitment to education
1-3 and to her community and state, and the members of this chamber
1-4 join with the citizens of Del Rio in celebrating the dedication of
1-5 the Irene C. Cardwell Elementary School in her honor; and
1-6 WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Val Verde County,
1-7 Mrs. Cardwell graduated from Del Rio High School in 1927; she then
1-8 earned a three-year teaching certificate from Sul Ross State
1-9 University and started her teaching career in the San Felipe
1-10 Independent School District; and
1-11 WHEREAS, In 1932, she married Ernest Cardwell, and the couple
1-12 enjoyed a warm and happy relationship until his passing; they were
1-13 blessed with four children, and Mrs. Cardwell has welcomed the
1-14 addition of 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren into her
1-15 close-knit family; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Mrs. Cardwell graduated from Sul Ross State
1-17 University with a bachelor of arts degree in 1940 and a master of
1-18 arts degree in 1955; during more than four decades of service with
1-19 the San Felipe Independent School District, she taught first grade
1-20 for 31 years, served as an elementary school principal for 14
1-21 years, and supervised the district's bilingual elementary education
1-22 program for three years before retiring in 1972; and
1-23 WHEREAS, The first principal of Travis Elementary School,
1-24 which is being renamed in her honor, Mrs. Cardwell organized one of
2-1 the strongest PTAs in the San Felipe district; to alleviate campus
2-2 overcrowding, she and Travis Elementary School parents built
2-3 classrooms and sidewalks and landscaped the campus, using funds
2-4 raised through PTA activities without asking for school district
2-5 money; she also shared her time and energy as a member of the
2-6 planning committee for the Sul Ross State University Reading
2-7 Conference and with the Texas Association for the Improvement of
2-8 Reading; and
2-9 WHEREAS, The organizer of HAND (Help A Neighbor Directly),
2-10 which built and remodeled homes for the poor, Mrs. Cardwell's
2-11 admirable civic involvement includes two decades as a captain in
2-12 the Mother's March of Dimes campaign and participation with the
2-13 American Cancer Society, the United Fund, and the Val Verde County
2-14 Tuberculosis Association, as well as membership in the Val Verde
2-15 Memorial Hospital Women's Auxiliary; and
2-16 WHEREAS, She was instrumental in developing free citizenship
2-17 classes under the auspices of the local League of United Latin
2-18 American Citizens council and served as the first president of the
2-19 LULAC Women's Auxiliary; this tireless community supporter has also
2-20 devoted her talents to the Girl Scouts, county library funding, the
2-21 Civic Music Association, and Boots and Bows Square Dance Club, a
2-22 social organization she founded; and
2-23 WHEREAS, Mrs. Cardwell has been accorded many well-deserved
2-24 accolades for her charitable efforts; in 1974, President Richard M.
2-25 Nixon presented a plaque to her from the National Advisory Council
2-26 on the Education of Disadvantaged Children for three years of work
2-27 with underprivileged children, and he also appointed her to a
3-1 15-member council on the recommendation of Senator John Tower; and
3-2 WHEREAS, In 1975, Governor Dolph Briscoe commissioned
3-3 Mrs. Cardwell a "Yellow Rose of Texas" for outstanding service to
3-4 the community, and that same year she was awarded the Archbishop
3-5 Francis Furey Bronze Medal for "exceptional service to the church
3-6 and community"; she was also honored by the Laughlin Air Force Base
3-7 Hispanic Heritage Committee and the San Felipe Lions Club, and she
3-8 was guest of honor at a Knights of Columbus Independence Eve Ball;
3-9 and
3-10 WHEREAS, The federal Immigration and Naturalization Service
3-11 recognized Mrs. Cardwell in 1990 for her "dedication and untiring
3-12 efforts" in assisting Del Rio area residents to become United
3-13 States citizens; her commitment and energetic spirit were applauded
3-14 by Governor Ann Richards in 1993, and at the Casa De La Cultura's
3-15 10th Annual International Woman's Day Conference in 1996, she was
3-16 celebrated for her leadership and community service; and
3-17 WHEREAS, Mrs. Cardwell's contributions to the field of
3-18 education were lauded by the San Felipe Exes Association in San
3-19 Jose, California, and by the ex-students' organization in San
3-20 Antonio; she is a member of Zelta Delta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi,
3-21 an honorary society for educators, and a life member of the Texas
3-22 Congress of Parents and Teachers; and
3-23 WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Irene Cardenas Cardwell has
3-24 aspired to the highest level of professionalism and accomplishment,
3-25 and her significant efforts in behalf of her fellow citizens are
3-26 truly exemplary; now, therefore, be it
3-27 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
4-1 Legislature hereby commend Irene Cardenas Cardwell for her
4-2 distinguished service to the citizens of her community and state
4-3 and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success and
4-4 happiness; and, be it further
4-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
4-6 prepared for Mrs. Cardwell as an expression of high regard by the
4-7 Texas House of Representatives.
Gallego
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 994 was adopted by the House on May
28, 1999, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House