79R6706 KO-D

By:  Goolsby                                                      H.R. No. 494



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Honorable Margaret Spellings, secretary of the 
United States Department of Education, is an outstanding Texan who 
has rendered immeasurable service to the citizens of Texas and the 
United States; and
	WHEREAS, Nominated by President George W. Bush, Secretary 
Spellings was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the nation's eighth 
secretary of education on January 20, 2005; as the proud parent of a 
high school and middle school student, she is the first mother of 
schoolchildren to serve as the U.S. secretary of education; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Michigan, Margaret Spellings moved with her 
family to Houston when she was in the third grade; after attending 
public schools in the Bayou City, she graduated from the University 
of Houston in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in political science and 
journalism; as a young aide in the Texas Legislature two decades 
ago, she committed herself to strengthening public schools and has 
since kept to her promise; and
	WHEREAS, She went on to help lead the Texas Association of 
School Boards, to advise two governors on education reform, and to 
serve four years as President Bush's top domestic policy advisor, 
helping to develop the No Child Left Behind Act; her resume of 
accomplishments also includes the Texas Reading Initiative, the 
Student Success Initiative, and the development of the nation's 
strongest school assessment and accountability system; and
	WHEREAS, Secretary Spellings is supported in all her 
endeavors by her husband, Robert, and her children, Mary, Grace, 
Robert, Jr., and Britain; and
	WHEREAS, Attending to the educational needs of the future 
leaders of our nation is an undertaking of paramount importance, 
and as secretary of education, Margaret Spellings will undoubtedly 
bring her trademark vitality, commitment, and tenacity to that 
worthy endeavor; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby commend Margaret Spellings on her confirmation 
as U.S. secretary of education and extend to her sincere best wishes 
for success with her important work; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Secretary Spellings as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.