By Ellis                                              H.R. No. 1085
         77R16105 MJS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The time-honored axiom "with age comes wisdom"
 1-2     certainly applies to Laura Thresher Johnston, who earned her
 1-3     bachelor's degree in Spanish at Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
 1-4     at the age of 85; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, Ms. Johnston's impressive accomplishment makes her
 1-6     the oldest person ever to graduate from this institution of higher
 1-7     learning, which was founded in 1879 and has an enrollment of
 1-8     approximately 12,000 students; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Born in Boston in 1915, Ms. Johnston completed her
1-10     high school education in 1933 and embarked on a 30-year
1-11     professional career as a nurse; she later worked as a waitress for
1-12     many years and also traveled around the country before eventually
1-13     settling in Texas; and
1-14           WHEREAS, A resident of Pointblank, a small town outside of
1-15     Huntsville, Ms. Johnston audited classes for two years at SHSU and
1-16     then decided to pursue a degree in Spanish; during the 10-year
1-17     period in which she took classes, she also took extended trips to
1-18     Spain and Guatemala, and she now is planning to take the GRE and
1-19     continue her studies to obtain a master's degree in history; and
1-20           WHEREAS, With her commitment, positive outlook, and great
1-21     zest for life, Ms. Johnston has served as an inspiration to
1-22     classmates and many other people; through her persistence, hard
1-23     work, and willingness to learn new things, Ms. Johnston has
1-24     achieved a significant educational goal, and it is most appropriate
 2-1     to pay tribute to her at this time; now, therefore, be it
 2-2           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-3     Legislature hereby congratulate Laura Thresher Johnston on the
 2-4     occasion of her graduation from Sam Houston State University and
 2-5     extend to her sincere best wishes for success and good fortune in
 2-6     her future endeavors; and, be it further
 2-7           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-8     prepared for Ms. Johnston as an expression of high regard by the
 2-9     Texas House of Representatives.