SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize John Cole, who is retiring as president of the Texas 
Federation of Teachers on June 30, 2005, after 25 years of 
outstanding leadership; and
	WHEREAS, While serving as a schoolteacher in
Corpus Christi in the 1970s, John became aware of the many 
problems facing today's urban schools, and he began serving as an 
officer in the Corpus Christi Classroom Teachers Association; 
when the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers was 
formed in 1975, John became its first member and served on its 
organizing committee; and
	WHEREAS, When the union received its charter in 1975, John 
was elected president, and under his administration, the 
organization grew from 17 members in 1975 to about 1,500 members 
in 1981; and
	WHEREAS, John was elected by the Executive Council of the 
Texas Federation of Teachers in December, 1980, to serve the 
remainder of the term left vacant by the previous president; he 
was elected unanimously to 11 additional two-year terms; and
	WHEREAS, In August of 1984, John was elected vice president 
of the American Federation of Teachers; he was the first Texan to 
serve as an officer of that organization, which has over one 
million members nationwide; and
	WHEREAS, John has also served on an advisory committee for 
the State Board of Education, and he is currently a vice 
president of the Texas American Federation of Labor and Congress 
of Industrial Organizations; and
	WHEREAS, John Cole has shown exceptional dedication to the 
field of education and has worked diligently on behalf of the 
educators of this state and our nation, and his leadership as 
president of the Texas Federation of Teachers will be greatly 
missed; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend John Cole 
for his many contributions to the Texas Federation of Teachers 
and extend to him best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
him as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                      Barrientos




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on June 30, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate