H.R. No. 779



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The year 2005 marks the retirement of John 
Washington as a trustee of the Mansfield school board, drawing to a 
close a distinguished nine-year tenure; and
	WHEREAS, A graduate of Bishop College in Marshall, Mr. 
Washington has spent 46 years in education, serving as a teacher and 
counselor and retiring in 1990 as a principal; in 1995, when Mr. 
Washington attended a Mansfield town hall meeting to discuss 
financial difficulties facing the district, he was noticed for his 
eloquence and intelligence; a parent invited him to attend a 
meeting with school district employees, his pastor, and others,  
and they asked him to run for the school board; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Washington has made numerous significant 
contributions to the district; serving on the board when the 
student population grew from 10,000 to 23,000, Mr. Washington has 
consistently proven himself to be a guiding light through some of 
the murkiest issues facing school leaders, and his insightful and 
articulate explanation of even the most difficult concepts will be 
sorely missed; and
	WHEREAS, For nearly a decade, Mr. Washington has served on 
the Mansfield board of trustees with integrity and dedication, 
earning the lasting respect of all who have been privileged to know 
and work with him, and it is a pleasure to recognize his exemplary 
service; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor John Washington on his retirement as a 
member of the Mansfield school district board of trustees and 
extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Washington as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Zedler

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 779 was adopted by the House on March 
31, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House