| H.R. No. 1230 | ||
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| WHEREAS, St. Paul Industrial Training School in Caney City is | ||
| receiving an official Texas Historical Marker on May 2, 2009, at a | ||
| ceremony hosted by the Henderson County Historical Commission; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In 1926, St. Paul Industrial Training School was | ||
| established by James William Smothers and his wife, Alice Olenza | ||
| Smothers; these dedicated pioneers sought to provide both social | ||
| and educational services to less privileged youth in Henderson | ||
| County, and thus, the school also became a shelter for orphans and | ||
| homeless children; in addition to the standard curriculum, students | ||
| at St. Paul Industrial Training School were exposed to such | ||
| practical skills as home economics, typing, and farming, and they | ||
| learned the importance of contributing to society; and | ||
| WHEREAS, With the commitment of Mr. and Mrs. Smothers, as | ||
| well as the support of members of the community and local | ||
| philanthropists, the school grew and even recovered after a | ||
| devastating tornado in the early 1940s; in 1947, St. Paul | ||
| Industrial Training School was chartered as a nonprofit | ||
| organization, and although it no longer functioned as a school by | ||
| the late 1980s, it was restructured into a scholarship program that | ||
| still exists today; St. Paul Industrial Training School, | ||
| Incorporated, has continued the mission of Mr. and Mrs. Smothers to | ||
| educate and empower youth, offering vital assistance to motivated | ||
| students and helping them realize their full potential at Texas | ||
| colleges and universities; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Recognition by the Texas Historical Commission | ||
| highlights the significant role that St. Paul Industrial Training | ||
| School played in educating and nurturing countless children, and | ||
| the official designation provides assurance that the history of | ||
| this notable institution will be remembered and honored for years | ||
| to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of a Texas Historical | ||
| Marker at St. Paul Industrial Training School in Caney City and | ||
| extend to all those involved with this project sincere appreciation | ||
| for their commitment to preserving the heritage of the Lone Star | ||
| State; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for the board of directors of St. Paul Industrial Training | ||
| School, Inc., as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of | ||
| Representatives. | ||
| Brown of Kaufman | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 1230 was adopted by the House on April | ||
| 9, 2009, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||