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