By Gallego                                             H.R. No. 539
         77R8822 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Juan Manuel "J. M." Farias of Eagle Pass has devoted
 1-2     more than three decades to providing children with a quality
 1-3     education through his work as a teacher, coach, and school
 1-4     administrator; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A talented athlete who played in a semiprofessional
 1-6     Mexican baseball league at the age of 14, Mr. Farias was able to
 1-7     parlay his exceptional ability into a partial scholarship to
 1-8     Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde and went on to earn his
 1-9     bachelor's degree from Texas A&I-Kingsville and a master's degree
1-10     in education from Sul Ross State University; and
1-11           WHEREAS, He joined the staff at his alma mater, Eagle Pass
1-12     High School in 1969, and during his highly productive 32-year
1-13     tenure with that institution, he has worked to help his students as
1-14     an educator, coach, principal, and mentor; and
1-15           WHEREAS, Mr. Farias's exceptional teaching ability is
1-16     reflected both inside and outside the classroom; he coached the
1-17     school's baseball team for 17 years, and during this time the team
1-18     earned six district, four bi-district, and three area
1-19     championships, and more than 40 of his players have earned college
1-20     baseball scholarships; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Believing that everything is achievable if students
1-22     show determination in their education, Mr. Farias helped organize
1-23     the Southwest Texas State University Eagle Pass Student Endowment
1-24     Program, which provides scholarship funds for high school
 2-1     graduates; in recognition of his many educational contributions he
 2-2     received the Eagle Pass Business Journal Award as the 1997
 2-3     Professional of the Year, the only high school principal to receive
 2-4     this honor; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Mr. Farias has for many years provided the youth of
 2-6     Eagle Pass with the skills and desire necessary to achieve success;
 2-7     his efforts have greatly benefited the Eagle Pass community and the
 2-8     State of Texas, and he is indeed worthy of special recognition at
 2-9     this time; now, therefore, be it
2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-11     Legislature hereby commend Juan Manuel "J. M." Farias for his many
2-12     significant contributions to education in his community and in
2-13     Texas and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success;
2-14     and, be it further
2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-16     prepared for Mr. Farias as an expression of high regard by the
2-17     Texas House of Representatives.