By Deshotel                                            H.R. No. 686
         77R11755 WMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives welcomes a
 1-2     delegation visiting the State Capitol on this day, April 3, 2001,
 1-3     from Tekoa Academy in Port Arthur; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Founded in 1999 by Paula Richardson, Tekoa Academy
 1-5     is the first charter school in Port Arthur and has the capacity for
 1-6     teaching 150 to 200 students from kindergarten through sixth grade;
 1-7     and
 1-8           WHEREAS, The academy strives not only to provide its students
 1-9     with a strong academic background, but also to give them guidance
1-10     essential to their future success; and
1-11           WHEREAS, Through the Integrated Thematic Instruction
1-12     technique, Tekoa scholars are able to apply classroom concepts in
1-13     daily life, and they are also involved in campus and mentoring
1-14     organizations in the areas of academics, sports, and community
1-15     service; and
1-16           WHEREAS, The Port Arthur students present today include
1-17     Corinth Bowie, president, Christon Henderson, vice president, Asia
1-18     Bennette, secretary, J'Covan Brown, parliamentarian, Roshonda
1-19     Jones, reporter, Leonard Ashford, Paris Bennette, Tempestt Carter,
1-20     Armanii Eaglin, Joseph Francis, Mark Fruge, Mereby Green, Celia
1-21     Keller, Deauntray Love, Kayla Porterie, Jonathan Porterie, Brittany
1-22     Ray, Marcus Rice, Chelsie Scott, Danielle Smith, Jannette Sterling,
1-23     DaNitta Thomas, and Reginald Williams; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Tekoa Academy is a noteworthy school with an
 2-1     outstanding faculty, staff, and student body, and it is indeed
 2-2     appropriate to recognize them on the occasion of their trip to
 2-3     Austin; now, therefore, be it
 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-5     Legislature hereby welcome to the State Capitol the students and
 2-6     staff from Tekoa Academy in Port Arthur and extend to them best
 2-7     wishes for a memorable occasion.