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H.R. No. 55
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Matagorda County historian Mary Belle Ingram is
marking a significant milestone in her life with the observance of
her 90th birthday on July 9, 2006; and
WHEREAS, A native of Mankins, in Archer County, Mrs. Ingram
was born on July 9, 1916, to Vera Frazier and Watkins L. Richeson;
she received bachelor's and master's degrees from North Texas State
University and librarian certification from The University of Texas
at Austin; and
WHEREAS, Mary Belle Richeson married Harmon Jerome
McAllister in 1941 and the couple were blessed with three children,
Jerome Watt, Julianne, and William Robert; fortunate to find love a
second time, after her husband's passing in 1963, she married John
William Ingram in 1973, and with him enjoyed a rewarding
relationship until his death a decade later; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Ingram retired from the Bay City Independent
School District in 1978, at the conclusion of a 30-year career in
education; during her time as the librarian at McAllister Junior
High School, she organized that school's Junior Historian Program;
and
WHEREAS, This accomplished woman has devoted much of her
adult life to studying local history and ensuring that future
generations of Matagorda County residents will have access to the
story of their proud heritage; to that end, she has provided dynamic
leadership as a member of the Matagorda County Museum Association,
Matagorda County Historical Commission, Matagorda County
Historical Society, and Matagorda County Genealogical Society; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she coordinated work on the two-volume
Historic Matagorda County, a substantial portion of which she
researched and compiled herself, and she has researched and written
narratives for numerous local historical markers; her publications
also include many articles and the book 110 Years of Methodism, a
history of the First United Methodist Church in Bay City; and
WHEREAS, For her civic involvement, she has twice been named
Outstanding Woman Citizen by the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, and
in 1976 she was chosen as Outstanding Woman of the Year by the local
Beta Sigma Phi chapter; her professional contributions have earned
her the Schoolmen's Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley
Forge, selection as one of 10 finalists for the Texas Teacher of the
Year award in 1974, and designation as first runner-up for the 1978
Texas Teacher of the Year award sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
WHEREAS, Other accolades bestowed on Mrs. Ingram include the
Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Texas
Historical Commission, the Kate Warnick Award, given by the Texas
United Methodist Historical Society, and the DAR History Award,
conferred on her by the Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter of the Daughters of
the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, The birthday of Mary Belle Ingram provides a fitting
opportunity to recognize this esteemed Texan for her tireless civic
spirit and for the immeasurable contributions she has made to
historic preservation in Matagorda County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Mary Belle
Ingram on her 90th birthday and commend her for her remarkable work
in behalf of her fellow citizens as a dedicated historian; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mrs. Ingram as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Dawson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 55 was adopted by the House on April
18, 2006, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House