SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 828
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased 
to pay tribute to Louise Abbott on the grand occasion of her 
100th birthday; and
	WHEREAS, A gracious lady who is well known for her charm 
and generosity of spirit, Louise is a revered resident of the 
City of Vernon; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Cleburne on April 30, 1903, to 
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flenniken, Louise graduated from Austin 
College and Baylor University; she moved to Vernon in 1926; and
	WHEREAS, A beloved educator, Louise has been called 
everybody's first-grade teacher because she taught entire 
families across several generations and spent all of her career 
in the first-grade classroom except for five years as a music 
teacher; although she retired in 1967 after 43 years of service, 
she continued to be a substitute teacher for another 17 years, 
thus carving a 60-year career as a schoolteacher; and
	WHEREAS, A woman who cherished her life's calling, Louise 
recalls her students with great affection and enjoys talking to 
her former students; and
	WHEREAS, She became famous for giving her students bear 
hugs to reward them for good performance in the classroom or 
simply to help them feel better when she felt they needed a hug; 
and
	WHEREAS, Besides her work as a teacher, Louise spent many 
years playing the piano for weekly Rotary Club meetings and for 
numerous other occasions in Vernon; and

	WHEREAS, Admired for her commitment to children's 
education, Louise was named Vernon's "Citizen of the Year" in 
1970 and the Business and Professional Women's "Woman of the 
Year" in 1982; she was also honored by the Rotary Club, and she 
received the Excellence in Education award from the Vernon 
Chamber of Commerce in 2002; and
	WHEREAS, A beloved and respected member of her community, 
Louise Abbott is noted for her courage, her compassion for 
others, and her enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest; 
and
	WHEREAS, In commemoration of her birthday, family and 
friends will gather on May 17, 2003, in the parlor of the 
First United Methodist Church to congratulate her and share with 
her this important milestone in her life; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
78th Legislature, hereby recognize Louise Abbott as a treasured 
citizen of Vernon and the State of Texas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
her as a memento of this special day.
                                                                          Duncan




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 14, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate