R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Sister Martha Ann Snapka is bringing to a close an
 1-2     outstanding 13-year tenure as president of Incarnate Word Academy
 1-3     (IWA) in Corpus Christi; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Appointed president in 1988, Sister Martha Ann was
 1-5     the first to fill the position that was created to unify and
 1-6     coordinate the three levels on campus to build a stronger faith
 1-7     community for all; an authority in the field of Catholic education,
 1-8     she was appointed to the two-year Diocesan Study of Catholic
 1-9     Schools in 1989 and more recently served on the Self-Study
1-10     Committee to determine ministry priorities in the Diocese of Corpus
1-11     Christi; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Sister Martha Ann has worked
1-13     tirelessly to benefit this unique learning environment; during her
1-14     tenure as principal, she planned and implemented the school's
1-15     transition from an all-girls high school to a coeducational
1-16     facility, and as superior general she helped to initiate the annual
1-17     International Reunions of Incarnate Word Sisters; Sister Martha Ann
1-18     founded and chaired the Incarnate Word Justice and Peace Committee
1-19     and also created the Incarnate Word Associates Program for lay
1-20     adults, which she served as director until 1992; and
1-21           WHEREAS, Other noteworthy accomplishments include her
1-22     involvement with the Nueces County Dispute Resolution Center from
1-23     1986 to 1994 and the establishment of the IWA School Board, which
1-24     received one of only four Outstanding Board Awards given nationwide
 2-1     by the National Catholic Education Association; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, For her many achievements, this remarkable
 2-3     administrator has been honored with the Diocesan Award for
 2-4     Outstanding Accomplishments in Catholic Education, named one of 10
 2-5     "Shining Stars in Texas Skies" at the Y Women in Careers Dinner,
 2-6     and welcomed into the Coastal Bend Hall of Fame; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Although Sister Martha Ann is ending her exemplary
 2-8     tenure at Incarnate Word Academy, she will continue to assist
 2-9     others as a team member of the Pax Christi USA Multicultural
2-10     Conflict Resolution Project, and it is most fitting that she be
2-11     honored for her extensive contributions to the students and staff
2-12     of IWA and the greater Corpus Christi community; now, therefore, be
2-13     it
2-14           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-15     Legislature hereby congratulate Sister Martha Ann Snapka on her
2-16     retirement as president of Incarnate Word Academy and commend her
2-17     for her many years of distinguished service; and, be it further
2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-19     prepared for Sister Martha Ann as an expression of high regard by
2-20     the Texas House of Representatives.
                                                                      Capelo
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 1357 was adopted by the House on May
         28, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House