By Edwards                                             H.R. No. 941
         77R15132 JKB-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of Lula Belle Goodman of Dewalt, Texas,
 1-2     on April 30, 2001, at the age of 93, has brought a profound sense
 1-3     of loss to all who knew and loved this distinguished Texan; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, A native of Fort Bend County, Mrs. Goodman was born
 1-5     and raised in Dewalt and later moved to Houston to complete her
 1-6     high school studies; she went on to earn her bachelor's and
 1-7     master's degrees from Prairie View A&M College before fulfilling
 1-8     her lifelong dream of becoming an educator; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Committed to encouraging and empowering the next
1-10     generation of Texans, this esteemed woman was employed as a
1-11     full-time educator for 41 years, and following her retirement, she
1-12     continued to work as a substitute teacher until the age of 90;
1-13     during her remarkable career, she taught in several Texas cities,
1-14     including Arcola, Sugar Land, and Stafford, and she derived
1-15     particular pleasure from teaching English; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Mrs. Goodman gave generously of her time, talents,
1-17     and resources to her students, providing clothes, shoes, and food
1-18     to children during the depression and actively working to feed the
1-19     hungry and clothe the poor throughout her life; she was also
1-20     involved in several community organizations and taught Vacation
1-21     Bible School at her church; and
1-22           WHEREAS, October 2000 marked the opening of Lula Belle
1-23     Goodman Elementary School in Dewalt, where Mrs. Goodman spoke of
1-24     her fulfilled desire for the elevation of education in her
 2-1     hometown; the state-of-the-art facility was a far cry from the
 2-2     one-room schoolhouse where she taught 85-90 students at a time for
 2-3     $55 a month at the beginning of her career, and the event was truly
 2-4     a memorable occasion for all concerned; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Mrs. Goodman was an
 2-6     extraordinary teacher, caretaker, and loving role model to the
 2-7     children in her charge; guiding and nurturing three generations of
 2-8     Houston residents, she made a positive difference in the lives of
 2-9     many people, and her caring spirit, loving heart, and inspiring
2-10     example will not soon be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
2-11           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-12     Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Lula Belle
2-13     Goodman for her lifetime of outstanding service in behalf of the
2-14     children of Texas, and that when the Texas House of Representatives
2-15     adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lula Belle Goodman.