78S20427 JHS-D

By:  McClendon                                                    H.R. No. 209



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Juanita George Pierce on August 
23, 2003, at the age of 90 brought a great loss to the family and 
friends of this revered educator, and it is indeed fitting that we 
pay tribute to her life at this time; and
	WHEREAS, Born October 15, 1912, in Colorado City, Dr. Pierce 
was raised in Fort Worth and attended I. M. Terrell High School, 
graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1929; although she had 
completed her requirements for graduation a year earlier at the age 
of 15, she stayed on as a volunteer typing and Spanish teacher 
before pursuing higher education; and
	WHEREAS, Three years later, this dedicated and motivated 
woman graduated cum laude from Fisk University in Nashville; 
shortly thereafter, she married Joseph A. Pierce, who preceded her 
in death and with whom she shared 36 joyous years; together they 
taught at Wiley College in Marshall and Atlanta University in 
Georgia before establishing themselves at Texas Southern 
University (TSU); and
	WHEREAS, Dr. Pierce earned master's and doctoral degrees in 
health and physical education from New York University; she was a 
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, an archousa of Sigma Pi Phi 
Boule, and an inductee into Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor 
Society in Education; and
	WHEREAS, A noted advocate of education for women, she was the 
founder and longtime head of TSU's Women's Department of Health and 
Physical Education and was a fixture on the TSU campus for many 
years; she was a devoted member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church and 
enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors and playing bridge 
with the ladies of the Five O'clock Bridge Club; and
	WHEREAS, Juanita George Pierce was a woman of integrity, 
honor, and intelligence, and although she will be missed by all who 
knew her, her spirit will live on through her legacy of success and 
through the many individuals whose lives she touched; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
Dr. Juanita George Pierce and extend sincere sympathy to the 
members of her family: to her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Joseph A. 
Pierce, Jr., and Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce; to her grandsons, 
Michael Arthur Pierce and Joseph Aaron Pierce and his wife, Kama 
Bethel Pierce; to her great-grandchildren, Marco, Jasmine, and 
Julian Pierce; and to the many other relatives and friends of this 
esteemed woman; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Juanita 
George Pierce.