SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 185

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize the students, faculty, and administration of Weslaco 
High School for winning the Youth category of the Texas 
Environmental Excellence Award; and
	WHEREAS, The school earned the award due to the success of 
its newest classroom--the outdoor botanical gardens; since 2004, 
150 students at Weslaco High School have worked together under 
the guidance of science teacher Deborah Villalon to create and 
nurture the school's botanical gardens; one-quarter acre of the 
school's grounds has been converted into an educational 
ecosystem; more than 30 species of plants, trees, herbs, and 
flowering shrubs are grown, and at harvest time, students gather 
100 pounds of fresh produce and donate it to the Rio Grande Valley 
Food Bank; and
	WHEREAS, Students have created butterfly gardens, a pond 
habitat, and a cactus garden; they also helped install a drip 
line and sprinkler irrigation system under the direction of the 
Texas A&M Agricultural Experiment Station; and
	WHEREAS, In the fall, students plant trees in the gardens 
and throughout the Valley as part of the Rio Reforestation 
Project; every Earth Day, a community celebration of nature is 
held, and students receive Texas Junior Master Gardener 
certifications from the Texas Cooperative Extension; and
	WHEREAS, Weslaco High School botanical gardens serves as 
an outdoor learning laboratory, where students gain knowledge of 
conservation, nutrition, and community service and develop 
healthy habits for life; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby commend Weslaco 
High School for its exceptional botanical gardens and its 
successful environmental education program and extend 
congratulations to all on earning a Texas Environmental 
Excellence Award; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 
expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Lucio




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 10, 2006.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate