By:  Ratliff                                          S.C.R. No. 58
                            SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is proud to
 1-2     recognize the Atlanta Independent School District on the grand
 1-3     occasion of its 125th anniversary which is being celebrated
 1-4     throughout this year; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The town site for the City of Atlanta was plotted in
 1-6     1872, and two years later, in 1874, the first schoolhouse was
 1-7     constructed; the school was situated on a hill northeast of the
 1-8     present First Baptist Church, and the teacher, Mr. Lilly, taught 15
 1-9     students who sat on long, rough benches; and
1-10           WHEREAS, In 1880, a new school building was erected on a lot
1-11     near the present Presbyterian Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Looney were
1-12     the teachers; in 1892, a separate female school was built, and in
1-13     1896, the male and female schools were combined; the first school
1-14     board was elected in 1899; and
1-15           WHEREAS, In 1923, a modern brick building was constructed for
1-16     the school's 500 students; the building burned down in 1925, but
1-17     was reconstructed, and in the 1930s, the first football team and
1-18     first band were organized; and
1-19           WHEREAS, The school was given five acres of land in 1938 by
1-20     Mrs. T. P. Trice and her mother, Mrs. Frank Bivins, and a lighted
1-21     stadium was built and named in their honor; in the 1960s, nine
1-22     acres of land were purchased to build an athletic practice field
1-23     and track field; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Over the last several decades, the Atlanta
 2-1     Independent School District has grown considerably and has
 2-2     benefitted from the wise leadership of its superintendents and from
 2-3     its talented teachers; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, According to the 1997-1998 school year statistics,
 2-5     the district could boast five campuses with 154 teachers and 1,989
 2-6     students; administrative personnel, staff, faculty and aides came
 2-7     to a total of 289; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Today, the Atlanta Independent School District is
 2-9     widely recognized as a first-rate educational system with a sound
2-10     academic curriculum; and
2-11           WHEREAS, The school district has consistently aimed at
2-12     providing resources, programs, and experiences that would inspire
2-13     excellence in student performance, and the students are proud of
2-14     the fine education they receive; and
2-15           WHEREAS, The celebration of Atlanta Independent School
2-16     District's 125th anniversary is an opportunity for all who have
2-17     attended its schools to express gratitude for the high standards
2-18     the district upholds and for the excellent educational
2-19     opportunities it provides; now, therefore, be it
2-20           RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-21     hereby commend the Atlanta Independent School District for its
2-22     eminent success and extend best wishes to all associated with the
2-23     district for a joyous 125th anniversary; and, be it further
2-24           RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for the
2-25     school district as an expression of high regard from the Texas
2-26     Legislature.