By Homer H.C.R. No. 313 77R17461 MJS-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, The retirement of James Larry Tucker as 1-2 superintendent of the Leonard Independent School District (ISD) 1-3 brings to a close the distinguished service of a highly respected 1-4 public servant; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Golden, Mr. Tucker obtained his 1-6 bachelor's degree and a master of education degree at Stephen F. 1-7 Austin University in Nacogdoches; and 1-8 WHEREAS, His exemplary career as a school administrator began 1-9 in 1958 when he served as an elementary school principal in the 1-10 Brookeland ISD; he also worked at Avery, Talco, and Rivercrest high 1-11 schools before becoming superintendent on July 1, 1975; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Under his astute direction, Leonard ISD has grown 1-13 from 47 employees to its present-day total of 121, while increasing 1-14 its overall enrollment by 365 students; he oversaw the construction 1-15 of new high schools and gymnasiums, a junior high school, an 1-16 administration building, the PBP Day Care Center, and baseball and 1-17 track fields; and 1-18 WHEREAS, He has been actively involved in such professional 1-19 organizations as the national and state associations of school 1-20 administrators, the Texas State Teachers Association, East Texas 1-21 School Study Council, Northeast Texas Schoolmen's Club, and others 1-22 too numerous to mention; he has also served as the Texas 1-23 Association of Community Schools director, Equity Center board 1-24 member, and committee member of the Texas Association of School 2-1 Boards; and 2-2 WHEREAS, His valuable civic efforts have encompassed founding 2-3 and serving as president of the Leonard Youth Sports Association, 2-4 and he has served as chairman of the Leonard Industrial Foundation 2-5 and as a board member of the American Bank of Texas at Leonard; 2-6 additionally, he has been a member of the Park Development Board 2-7 and board member and former president of the Leonard Kiwanis Club; 2-8 for his myriad accomplishments in the community, he was named the 2-9 Citizen of the Year by the Leonard Chamber of Commerce in 1981; and 2-10 WHEREAS, An ardent sports fan and longtime supporter of 2-11 athletics, he has served as president of the Texas High School 2-12 Girls Track Association and, during the course of his outstanding 2-13 career, has coached a state championship boys basketball, girls 2-14 basketball, and girls track and field team; and 2-15 WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Mr. Tucker has been an 2-16 immeasurable source of guidance and wisdom in Leonard; with his 2-17 commitment, industriousness, and leadership, he has contributed 2-18 greatly to public education in the Lone Star State and has made a 2-19 positive impact on countless lives; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-21 hereby congratulate James Larry Tucker on the occasion of his 2-22 retirement as superintendent from the Leonard ISD and extend to him 2-23 sincere best wishes for happiness and good fortune in his future 2-24 endeavors; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Mr. Tucker as an expression of high regard by the 2-27 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.