By Callegari H.R. No. 1081 77R16294 MMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Rodger and Ellen Beck Junior High School in Katy is 1-2 named in honor of two beloved, longtime educators in the Katy 1-3 Independent School District; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Beck met as young teachers in Katy in 1-5 the 1960s, having both been hired as science teachers and 1-6 junior/senior high coaches; a native of Minden, Louisiana, and a 1-7 recent graduate of Northwestern Louisiana State University, Ellen 1-8 Baker joined the Katy school district in 1962; when Rodger Beck 1-9 later arrived, Katy students tried their collective hand at 1-10 matchmaking, but the couple feigned disinterest so successfully 1-11 that when they announced their engagement a year after meeting, the 1-12 announcement caught everyone totally by surprise; and 1-13 WHEREAS, After taking time out between 1967 and 1971 to care 1-14 for their two young sons, Mrs. Beck returned to teaching and to 1-15 coaching the volleyball and track and field programs; in 1976 she 1-16 was assigned solely to Katy Senior High, where she prepared many 1-17 students for track events at the regional and state level and where 1-18 her volleyball program became a perennial powerhouse; under her 1-19 expert guidance, Katy High School reached the volleyball playoffs 1-20 nearly every year, with six teams winning district championships, 1-21 two advancing to the state semi-finals, three qualifying for 1-22 regional competition, and three securing regional runner-up titles; 1-23 and 1-24 WHEREAS, Born in Woodsboro, Texas, Mr. Beck earned a 2-1 bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University and a 2-2 master's degree in education from Sam Houston State University; a 2-3 versatile coach, he worked with football, basketball, and track and 2-4 field teams, and as head track coach helped numerous athletes 2-5 qualify for regional and state competition; in 1976 he assumed the 2-6 post of Katy Junior High School counselor; and 2-7 WHEREAS, When Rodger Beck passed away on March 16, 1995, the 2-8 Katy community lost one of its most caring educators--a man who 2-9 sought and found goodness in everyone he met and whose generosity 2-10 with his time and support was unfailing; in 1996 Ellen Beck retired 2-11 as the assistant athletic coordinator at Katy High School, having 2-12 given hundreds of students a vision of what they might attain with 2-13 disciplined effort, and thus having helped them discover one of the 2-14 most important keys to a fulfilling life; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In their 30 years of service with the Katy ISD, both 2-16 Rodger and Ellen Beck gave unstintingly of their talents and 2-17 efforts to the youth of the community, and the naming of Rodger and 2-18 Ellen Beck Junior High School in 1996 was a most fitting tribute to 2-19 the place they held in the hearts of Katy students, parents, and 2-20 fellow educators; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby honor Ellen Beck and the life of Rodger Beck for 2-23 their immeasurable gifts to their students and to their schools in 2-24 the Katy Independent School District; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Ellen Beck as an expression of high regard by the 2-27 Texas House of Representatives.