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79S30944 CBE-D

By:  Eiland                                                       H.R. No. 312



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Izola Ethel Fedford Collins has been selected as the 
recipient of the 2006 Steel Oleander Award, presented each year by 
the Galveston Historical Foundation to an outstanding local woman 
whose community service reflects the ideals and independent spirit 
of early citizen Bettie Brown; and
	WHEREAS, A fourth-generation Galvestonian, Mrs. Collins 
began teaching piano lessons when she was 16; she went on to earn a 
bachelor's degree in music at Prairie View University, where she 
played trumpet in the Prairie View College Coeds Orchestra; after 
earning a master's degree in music at Northwestern University, she 
returned to the Lone Star State and became a successful and 
well-respected high school band director and an award-winning choir 
teacher; she retired from the Galveston Independent School District 
in 1984; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan has devoted much of her life to 
supporting her beloved community; shortly after retiring, she was 
elected to the GISD Board of Trustees, which she served for nine 
years, and was instrumental in organizing the GISD Education 
Foundation, a coalition from the public and private sectors that 
funds important public school programs; in addition, she helped 
organize the local chapter of the Galveston County Alliance of 
Black School Educators and has shared her time and talents with such 
notable organizations as the 1894 Grand Opera House, St. Mary's 
Hospital, the Strand Street Theatre, the Galveston Historical 
Foundation, Galveston Partnership, and St. Vincent's House; she is 
currently on the board of the Old Central Cultural Center and the 
Marcus Netherly Scholarship Fund; and
	WHEREAS, A woman of diverse interests, Mrs. Collins is the 
author of two books, Divine Light Never Goes Away, a collection of 
poetry, and Island of Color: Where Juneteenth Started, a history of 
African Americans in Galveston; she continues to express her 
exceptional musical talent as a member of the Galveston Heritage 
Chorale, which she organized, and she composed the music for the 
2005 and 2006 FeatherFest, Galveston's annual birding and nature 
event; and
	WHEREAS, A treasured member of Reedy Chapel, she has 
contributed greatly to its legacy of music over the years, 
variously serving as pianist, organist, and choir director; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Collins is the widow of Roy Lester Collins, 
Jr., with whom she shared 32 years of marriage and raised three 
children, and she now enjoys the affection of eight grandchildren; 
and
	WHEREAS, For many decades, Izola Collins has had a profound 
impact on the Galveston community, and this distinguished award 
offers testimony to the regard and admiration in which she is held 
in the community; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Izola Ethel 
Fedford Collins on receiving the 2006 Steel Oleander Award and 
commend her for her many contributions to the arts and education in 
Galveston; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Collins as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.