79S20648 JHS-F



By:  Escobar                                                      H.R. No. 228







R E S O L U T I O N

	WHEREAS, Emma Salinas Garza was born in Kingsville on May 26, 

1926, the same year that the first liquid-fueled rocket was 

launched and led America into the space age and a new era of 

discovery and exploration; and

	WHEREAS, Emma's parents, Severiano and Paula, were born and 

raised in Ciudad Mier, Mexico, one of the early colonies 

established by Spain, circa 1742, and part of an area bordering the 

Rio Grande that was known as Aztlan and later Nuevo Santander; she 

attended public schools in Kingsville and dropped out in the ninth 

grade to help her parents manage the household; and

	WHEREAS, Notwithstanding leaving school, Emma maintained a 

dream of one day completing her education, but not until she was 

able to raise her own family; and

	WHEREAS, Emma S. Garza married her childhood sweetheart at 

the age of 19, soon after his return from service in the Army Air 

Corps during World War II; and

	WHEREAS, After raising six children, Emma completed her GED 

within one week's time at the age of 40; she went on to attend Texas 

A&I University, where she worked diligently in her pursuit of an 

elementary education degree while working full-time as a teacher's 

aide in the public school system; and

	WHEREAS, Despite the demands of motherhood and full-time 

employment, she took a full course load at night school and 

completed the requirements for a degree in education in four years, 

graduating in 1980 at the age of 54; continuing her education, she 

earned a master's degree in elementary education and additional 

certification in reading, bilingual education, and early childhood 

education and would teach in the Robstown Independent School 

District for a total of 10 years before her retirement; and

	WHEREAS, Although of humble origins, Emma persevered to 

achieve her goal of attaining a college education, overcoming many 

barriers in the process and living and achieving the American 

Dream; her strength, courage, determination, and faith saw her 

through good times and bad, and her commitment to family and God 

have inspired new generations to succeed in life and share her sense 

of commitment and service to family and community; and

	WHEREAS, Emma S. Garza has made an indelible mark on the world 

around her and epitomizes those hard-working, dedicated parents and 

educators across our nation that serve as role models for young and 

old alike to follow as they strive to reach lifelong goals; now, 

therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 

Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commend Emma S. Garza on 

her remarkable achievements and honor her for the life lesson she 

teaches--that it is never too late to attain long-held goals, 

realize dreams, and achieve success; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 

prepared for Ms. Garza as an expression of high regard by the Texas 

House of Representatives.