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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Dr. Phil Hatlen on the occasion of his retirement as |
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superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually |
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Impaired on July 31, 2007, after 17 years of loyal service; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Phil Hatlen joined the Texas School for the |
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Blind and Visually Impaired in 1990 with an extensive background as |
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an educator, administrator, and consultant; and |
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WHEREAS, He has advanced a progressive agenda for educating |
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young people who are blind and visually impaired that includes |
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teaching essential social and daily living skills so the students |
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might succeed not only in school but in society as well; and |
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WHEREAS, Early in his career, he discovered that blind and |
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visually impaired children were being taught complex academic |
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subjects, but some were unable to complete the tasks of daily |
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living, such as tying their shoes; he developed an agenda at the |
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school that integrated individualized instruction, parental |
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involvement, and societal inclusion; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Hatlen encouraged educators and leaders at |
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schools for the blind and visually impaired to redefine their |
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institutions as multiservice agencies that provide for the best |
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interests of their students, and he emphasized that those interests |
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are best served by qualified teachers and an effective partnership |
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between parents and educators; and |
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WHEREAS, Because of Phil Hatlen's leadership, the Texas |
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School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has become one of the |
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most prominent schools for the blind and visually impaired in the |
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country, and its reputation has drawn visitors from around the |
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world; and |
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WHEREAS, He has been an exceptional leader who has had a |
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positive influence on the lives of countless students and teachers, |
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and his presence at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually |
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Impaired will be greatly missed; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commend Dr. Phil Hatlen for his dedicated service and his |
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many contributions to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually |
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Impaired; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for him |
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as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |