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                                                                  H.R. No. 202



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Ila Gilstrap's retirement from the Greenville 
Independent School District at the end of the 2003-2004 school year 
will bring to a close an exceptional career in education spanning 
five decades; and
	WHEREAS, One of 18 graduates of her class at Massey Lake High 
School in Tennessee Colony, Texas, she went on to earn a bachelor's 
degree in elementary education from Texas College in 1954 and 
started teaching that fall; while teaching, she also took courses 
in early childhood education and received a master's degree in 1958 
from New York University; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Gilstrap's first students were first-graders 
in Conroe, and she later moved to Fred Douglas Elementary School in 
Greenville; during the first year of integration, she joined the 
staff of Bowie Elementary School, where she was the only African 
American teacher, and she will finish her career at the same school; 
and
	WHEREAS, Practical life lessons are part of the education 
package in Mrs. Gilstrap's classes; recently, her fourth-graders 
presented  campaign speeches to their classmates and visitors, 
conducted an election, and installed class officers; recognized for 
her deep commitment to her students and to the field of education, 
she was named Teacher of the Month for September 2003 by the Noon 
Rotary Club in Greenville; and
	WHEREAS, In all her endeavors, she enjoys the love and 
support of her devoted husband, Melvin Gilstrap, a Texas College 
classmate, their children, Stacy, Shelby, and Melvin Gilstrap, Jr., 
and four grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Ila Gilstrap has adhered to 
the highest standards of the teaching profession, and she serves as 
an inspirational role model for her students and colleagues alike; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Ila Gilstrap for a 
half century dedicated to the education of Texas children and 
extend to her heartfelt wishes for a happy and rewarding 
retirement; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Gilstrap as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                           Flynn

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 202 was adopted by the House on 
October 2, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House