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