By Lewis of Orange                                    H.R. No. 1352
         76R17829 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The retirement of Sharon "Sha" McMullen as a
 1-2     counselor at Colony Middle School in Palmer, Alaska, brings to a
 1-3     close the distinguished career of a remarkable woman with deep
 1-4     Texas roots; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Ms. McMullen received a bachelor's degree in
 1-6     elementary education from Sam Houston State University in 1969 and
 1-7     later earned a master's degree in elementary education from Stephen
 1-8     F. Austin State University in 1978 and a master's degree in
 1-9     counseling from Oregon State University in 1992; and
1-10           WHEREAS, This esteemed educator began her teaching career at
1-11     Houston's Spring Branch Elementary School in 1969, and throughout
1-12     the ensuing decade she taught at a host of schools across the Lone
1-13     Star State, including Anson Jones School, Olle Middle School, and
1-14     Lufkin Intermediate School; and
1-15           WHEREAS, She relocated to Alaska in 1978 and enjoyed a
1-16     successful tenure at several schools before joining the staff of
1-17     Colony Middle School in 1990; and
1-18           WHEREAS, For the past nine years, Ms. McMullen has served as
1-19     a counselor for grades six through eight and as a facilitator and
1-20     organizer of numerous student groups; in recognition of her
1-21     exemplary performance, she was chosen Alaska's Educator of the Year
1-22     in 1994 and Counselor of the Year for 1998; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Throughout her career she has donated her time and
1-24     expertise to a host of committees and organizations, including the
 2-1     Mat-Su School District Evaluation Committee, National Middle School
 2-2     Association, Operation Runaway, Matanuska Susitna Agency
 2-3     Partnership, Alaska Writing Consortium, and many more too numerous
 2-4     to mention; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, A 30-year member of the National Education
 2-6     Association, she is currently active with such organizations as the
 2-7     Matanuska-Susitna Education Association, Mat-Su Guidance and
 2-8     Counseling Committee, Alaska School Counseling Association, and the
 2-9     American Counseling Association; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Ms. McMullen has also authored and contributed to a
2-11     variety of publications; these include Pathways Experiences for All
2-12     Kids, It's Your Career, Extended Learning Counseling Guide, Alaska
2-13     School Counseling Association Reporter, and Forum Program Manual;
2-14     and
2-15           WHEREAS, The oldest sister of State Representative Ron Lewis,
2-16     Sharon "Sha" McMullen has distinguished herself as a dedicated
2-17     educator and counselor of ability and integrity, and it is truly
2-18     fitting that she be honored for her many accomplishments; now,
2-19     therefore, be it
2-20           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-21     Legislature hereby recognize Sharon "Sha" McMullen on the occasion
2-22     of her retirement and extend to her sincere best wishes for
2-23     continued success and happiness; and, be it further
2-24           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-25     prepared for Ms. McMullen as an expression of high regard by the
2-26     Texas House of Representatives.