79R13620 BJM-D

By:  Davis of Dallas                                              H.R. No. 1228



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Joseph L. Atkins is being inducted into the African 
American Education Archives and History Program Educators Hall of 
Fame in Dallas on April 23, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, Founded in 2001, the program was initiated by the 
Dallas Regional, National Alliance of Black School Educators and 
the African American Museum to create a repository of artifacts, 
documents, and visual images that chronicle the African American 
education experience in Dallas County and to pay tribute to 
individuals such as Dr. Atkins who have made significant 
contributions to African American education in Dallas; and
	WHEREAS, His work as an advocate for African Americans began 
when Dr. Atkins applied for admission to North Texas State 
University, now the University of North Texas, and was denied 
admission based on his race; with the support of his family and the 
NAACP, he filed a suit that ultimately prompted a federal court to 
order the desegregation of the school, making it one of the first in 
the South to admit African Americans; due to the lengthy nature of 
the litigation, Dr. Atkins, in the meantime, enrolled at The 
University of Texas at El Paso, where he graduated with degrees in 
English and journalism, before returning to North Texas State to 
earn his master's; and
	WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan taught journalism at James 
Madison and North Dallas High Schools from 1963 to 1974, when he 
accepted the position of UniServe director for the Texas State 
Teachers Association; for nearly 25 years, he worked as a TSTA field 
representative, defending teachers and helping to develop future 
leaders; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Dr. Atkins has benefited 
numerous professional organizations with his involvement; he 
continues to lend his time and talents to the Dallas Branch of the 
NAACP, Town East Sunrise Civitan Club, Dallas Police Chief Advisory 
Committee, Dallas ISD Advisory Committee, Dallas Black Chamber of 
Commerce, and the Greater Dallas Association of Realtors; he is 
also a lifelong member of the Good Street Baptist Church and serves 
as the chairman of the board for the church's credit union; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to his induction into the hall of fame, 
Dr. Atkins was lauded by the 2001 Texas Legislative Black Caucus 
with its Outstanding Texan Award, and he recently received an 
honorary doctorate of human letters from the University of North 
Texas and was declared a "barrier breaking alumnus" during the 
school's 50th anniversary celebration of desegregation in 2004; and
	WHEREAS, An inspiring defender of human rights, Joseph Atkins 
may take great pride in the profound difference he has made in 
Dallas and beyond as his efforts have truly enhanced the lives of 
countless Texans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Joseph L. Atkins on his induction 
into the African American Education Archives and History Program 
Educators Hall of Fame 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 Dr. Atkins as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.