78R2077 MDM-D By: Farrar H.R. No. 12R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Many proud graduates of Jefferson Davis Senior High School gathered in Houston on November 2, 2002, to celebrate the school's 75th anniversary and the dedication of its new library, cafeteria, and technology complex; and WHEREAS, The school's rich history can be traced back to 1927, when 33 students received diplomas at its first commencement; three-quarters of a century later, Jefferson Davis Senior High School continues to provide a quality education to its students, and its Class of 2003 numbers more than 300 young men and women, many of whom carry on a family tradition as Fighting Panthers; and WHEREAS, The school served as the initial site for Project GRAD U.S.A., a highly regarded program being embraced by schools nationwide that tracks students' academic enrichment throughout their public education career; in addition to offering an array of classes and extracurricular opportunities, the campus serves as a magnet school for training in hotel and restaurant management and travel; and WHEREAS, Through the years, distinguished alumni of Jefferson Davis Senior High School have gone on to successful careers in such diverse fields as medicine, law, education, entertainment, engineering, art, and architecture; the school has developed numerous public servants as well who have shared their time and talents as members of school boards, city councils, the state legislature, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the United States Congress; and WHEREAS, Many Fighting Panthers have distinguished themselves as members of this nation's armed forces; the school has also produced a number of athletes who have achieved All-American status and two world-class boxing champions, Olympic medal winners Jesse Valdez and Rocky Juarez; and WHEREAS, Since its founding, Jefferson Davis Senior High School has effectively addressed the educational needs of the community it serves, and with the addition of its beautiful new facilities, the school will continue to positively affect the lives of countless young Texans for many years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of Jefferson Davis Senior High School and the dedication of its new library, cafeteria, and technology complex; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for display at Jefferson Davis Senior High School as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.