R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Maria "Mari" Gonzalez of La Joya has truly 1-2 distinguished herself through her many years of hard work in behalf 1-3 of migrant children and their families, and her actions indeed 1-4 merit special legislative recognition; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A 1967 graduate of Rio Grande City High School, 1-6 Mrs. Gonzalez began her career as a teacher's aide with the La Joya 1-7 Independent School District, which has one of the largest migrant 1-8 education programs in the state, serving approximately 6,000 such 1-9 students each year; throughout her career, her knowledge and 1-10 expertise have led her to take on increasingly challenging 1-11 positions with the district, and she has worked as federal programs 1-12 secretary, liaison coordinator, and office manager during her fine 1-13 tenure; and 1-14 WHEREAS, In 1982 Mrs. Gonzalez earned a bachelor's degree in 1-15 elementary education from Pan American University and began working 1-16 even more closely with La Joya students; she was awarded a master's 1-17 degree in adult education from Texas A&I University in 1984, and 1-18 the following year she accepted a position as parent coordinator 1-19 with the district; her appointment as migrant service coordinator 1-20 in 1990 has brought her skills and ability to even greater effect, 1-21 as she now ensures the delivery and quality of a broad array of 1-22 programs for migrant children and their families; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Her remarkable energy and enthusiasm have brought 1-24 many important initiatives to bear in La Joya, including Project 2-1 SMART, the national distance learning program for migrant students, 2-2 and the establishment of the Migrant Expanded Opportunity Center, 2-3 which helps migrant students to graduate on schedule; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In addition to addressing many state and national 2-5 migrant initiatives, this esteemed woman is the recipient of the 2-6 1999 Excellence in Migrant Education award from the National 2-7 Association of State Directors of Migrant Education and is a member 2-8 of the Texas State Teachers Association, the National Association 2-9 for Bilingual Education, and the La Joya City Council; and 2-10 WHEREAS, A wife and mother of three children, Mrs. Gonzalez 2-11 has had a tremendous impact on the lives of countless Texas 2-12 schoolchildren and their families; she is widely recognized at the 2-13 district, regional, state, and national levels for her myriad 2-14 contributions, and it is a great pleasure to join her proud family 2-15 and colleagues in honoring her at this time; now, therefore, be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-17 Legislature hereby commend Maria "Mari" Gonzalez for her many years 2-18 of effort in behalf of migrant children and their families and 2-19 extend to her warmest best wishes for continued success and 2-20 happiness; and, be it further 2-21 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-22 prepared for Mrs. Gonzalez as an expression of highest regard by 2-23 the Texas House of Representatives. Flores _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1020 was adopted by the House on May 21, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House