H.R. No. 1536



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Willa Debora Strickling Kramer, a senior at Dripping 
Springs High School, scored yet another triumph in her stellar 
academic career by taking the Class 4A individual championship in 
literary criticism at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) 
Academic State Meet in Austin on May 3, 2003; and
	WHEREAS, This victory caps an exceptional history of UIL 
achievement for Ms. Kramer, who took a sixth-place finish at the 
state level in 2002 and top regional honors in both 2002 and 2003; 
in carrying off the 2003 state title, she surpassed 1,024 other 
competitors in this event from across the state; and
	WHEREAS, The Dripping Springs team, a perennial contender 
under the guidance of teacher/coach Janie Botkin, also made an 
outstanding showing in 2003, placing first in its region and second 
in state, besting 254 other groups; in addition to Ms. Kramer, team 
members include Tyler Giles, a senior, and Jamie Stuart and Katie 
Stoltze, both freshmen; and
	WHEREAS, During the approximately 13 years that Ms. Botkin 
has coached the Dripping Springs team, it has won regional 
competition on several other occasions and taken the district 
championship numerous times; moreover, in 10 of those years its 
ranks have produced the individual district winner; and
	WHEREAS, Preparation for the literary criticism event 
includes study of a major play, an American or British poet, and a 
novel; this year, contestants were assigned Richard III, Edna St. 
Vincent Millay, and The Gates of the Alamo--the last a particularly 
interesting choice for Ms. Kramer, who lives in the area where the 
novel is being filmed; students must also learn the elements of 
literary criticism and be able to apply them to other works; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to being a UIL state champion, Ms. 
Kramer is salutatorian of her class, a National Merit finalist, and 
president of the film club; she will be enrolling in the fall at 
Swarthmore College; and
	WHEREAS, A gifted and creative young woman, Willa Kramer has 
brought great credit to her school and compiled a record of 
accomplishments that promises a bright and fulfilling future; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Willa Debora Strickling Kramer on 
winning the individual Class 4A UIL state championship in literary 
criticism and extend to her sincere best wishes for happiness and 
success in all her future endeavors; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Ms. Kramer as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                            Rose

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 1536 was adopted by the House on May 
28, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House