SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 328

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
recognize Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier for her contributions to 
her community and her country; and

	WHEREAS, Dr. Ferrier received a bachelor's degree in speech
and a master's degree in education from Our Lady of the Lake 
University in San Antonio; she continued her education at 
Texas A&M University, where she earned a doctoral degree in 
education administration; and

	WHEREAS, In her 17 years of experience as an educator, she
created award-winning models of education programs to assist 
underserved children and young people; she founded a 
church-based preschool for children with limited English 
proficiency to help prepare them to enter public school, and 
she established the Kelly Air Force Base Mentoring Partnership 
with Southwest Independent School in San Antonio; and

	WHEREAS, Maria Ferrier was a founding member of Community 
Education Leadership Program, a program designed to develop 
leaders to work in multicultural communities, and she served as 
a director of English as a Second Language for the community 
education program of the North East Independent School District 
in San Antonio; and

	WHEREAS, She also served as the executive director of City 
Year, the program model of AmeriCorps; she guided young people 
from diverse backgrounds as they assisted children from 
elementary schools in low-income areas, including many children
with limited English proficiency; and

	WHEREAS, Dr. Ferrier was appointed deputy undersecretary 
and director of the Office of English Language Acquisition, 
Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement for Limited 
English Proficient Students; she is currently the principal 
advisor to the United States secretary of education on all 
matters related to students with limited English proficiency; 
and

	WHEREAS, An exemplary citizen, Maria Ferrier has 
volunteered for the San Antonio Literacy Commission, the 
San Antonio Rotary Board, and the San Antonio Air Force Community
Council; she was selected as the first distinguished visiting 
professor for Our Lady of the Lake University Center for 
Leadership Studies; and

	WHEREAS, Maria Ferrier's many accomplishments reflect her 
commitment and dedication to serving the educational needs of 
her community, her state, and her nation; now, therefore, be it


	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby honor Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier for 
her many contributions to the field of education and to the 
children of our country; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                    Van de Putte




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 7, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate