H.R. No. 1734

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Dr. Joe Kuban inspired countless students during more than three decades of service as a science teacher at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth before his retirement in 2008; and

WHEREAS, A 1968 graduate of Nolan, Dr. Kuban returned to his alma mater as a teacher in 1973, and the following year he founded what is thought to be the longest-running high school ecology studies program in the country; he soon became known for his lively teaching style and passionate commitment to the environment, and his compelling example ignited the curiosity and interest of generations of students; and

WHEREAS, In a classroom distinguished by a display of globes, fieldwork tools, and finds from his excursions, Dr. Kuban taught students not only to identify flora and fauna but also to genuinely appreciate the natural world; together, they often ventured outdoors to engage with the environment firsthand, and each year he led field trips to some of his favorite places, including Big Bend National Park and the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, as well as Costa Rica and the Cayman Islands; he pointed out and described trees, rocks, birds, flowers, fish, and coral reefs with equal enthusiasm, and he encouraged students to become stewards of the land; in fact, more than a few of them have taken that message to heart and gone on to pursue careers in science and environmental work; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Kuban's delight in nature is rivaled only by his love of music, and he found an outlet for this pursuit early on at Nolan, when he wrote a song dedicated to the senior class; it marked the beginning of a cherished tradition that graduating students came to anticipate; moreover, in his leisure time, he composed ballads about the beauty of Texas and recorded two albums as Joe Kuban and the Lost Chizo Band; and

WHEREAS, After receiving a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the fall of 2006, Dr. Kuban continued to carry out his teaching responsibilities with the same dedication he had always demonstrated; he persevered for more than a year in a motorized scooter that students decorated and equipped with a horn, and in the end, rather than leaving his post to chance, he personally selected and trained a local graduate student to take his place; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed educator, who grew up near Lake Worth, holds two degrees from The University of Texas at Arlington and a doctorate from Syracuse University; in 1995, he received a Goodall ecology award, which earned him and his class a visit from renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall herself, and his teaching, music, and conservation legacy is honored in a plaque at Nolan; by his side is his loving wife, DeLane Kuban, with whom he has enjoyed more than a decade of marriage; and

WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of a man's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the world as they move through it, and Joe Kuban's contributions to Nolan Catholic High School have made a profound difference that will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby honor Dr. Joe Kuban for his exceptional service as a longtime science teacher at Nolan Catholic High School and extend to him sincere gratitude for his outstanding efforts in behalf of young Texans; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Kuban as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

Shelton

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1734 was adopted by the House on May 11, 2009, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House