79R8324 JNC-D

By:  Otto                                                         H.R. No. 859



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, Meta Garvey Thomas of 
Cleveland, Texas, has devoted her professional life to educating 
the young people of her community; and
	WHEREAS, A native of Panama, and a longtime resident of 
Cleveland, Mrs. Thomas earned a bachelor's degree in English from 
Bishop College and a master's degree in English from Prairie View 
A&M University, and she went on to pursue advanced studies in 
Spanish at Sam Houston State University; and
	WHEREAS, During her 49-year tenure at Cleveland ISD, she has 
served with distinction as a member of the faculty at Cleveland High 
School and the former Frederick Douglass High School; she has been 
the sponsor of the Cleveland High School Chapter of the National 
Honor Society, the Spanish Club, and the Senior Class, and was a 
student competition advisor for the University Interscholastic 
League in Poetry Interpretation; moreover, she has provided adult 
education classes in English as a second language to assist 
non-English speakers toward educational, social, and career 
advancement; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to her outstanding service as an 
instructor and mentor, this esteemed civic leader has served as 
mayor pro tem of Cleveland and held three terms on the city council; 
she has also lent her time and talents to the Cleveland Library 
Board, the City of Cleveland Charter Committee, City Park Board, 
Precinct 20 Executive Committee, the Progressive Women's Club, and 
the American Cancer Society; and
	WHEREAS, She has awarded 30 college scholarships to deserving 
students through the William N. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, a fund 
established in 1985 to honor the legacy of her late husband, a 
former educator and Cleveland City Council member; and
	WHEREAS, Respected and admired by her colleagues, Mrs. Thomas 
was nominated for the 1995 Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding 
High School Teachers, sponsored by The University of Texas 
Ex-Students Association, for her exceptional abilities, and she was 
recognized in May 2004 as Cleveland ISD Teacher of the Month; and
	WHEREAS, The passion with which Meta Thomas approaches her 
profession is an inspiration to all who know her, and her hard work 
and dedication to excellence in education have immeasurably 
enriched the lives of countless students, teachers, and parents; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Meta Garvey Thomas for her decades of 
service to the Cleveland Independent School District and extend to 
her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mrs. Thomas as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.