SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 17
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
  recognize the recipients of the 2009 Texas Exes Awards for
  Outstanding Teachers for their exemplary contributions to the
  cause of education in Texas; and
 
         WHEREAS, The future of Texas depends on its children, who
  must be fully equipped with the skills needed to successfully
  meet the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century; their
  success would not be possible without the commitment and
  enthusiasm provided by teachers such as the outstanding 2009
  honorees; and
 
         WHEREAS, Alan Barkemeyer of Rosebud-Lott High School in
  Rosebud and Penny Smeltzer of Westwood High School in Austin are
  receiving The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Award; Bonnie Blum of
  West End Elementary in Industry is receiving The Suzan and Julius
  Glickman Award; Todd Clearwater of Klein Oak High School in
  Spring is receiving The Houston Texas Exes Chapter Award; Mike
  Ferguson of Hebron High School in Carrollton is receiving The
  Mrs. Harold B. Myers Award; Kimberly Fudge of Richland High
  School in North Richland Hills is receiving The Gordon Appleman
  Award; Jim Furgeson of McCallum High School in Austin, Thadious
  T. Polasek of Flatonia Secondary School in Flatonia, and Brenda
  Vanek of Judson High School in Converse are receiving The Lillian
  B. Rhodes Award; Donna Gabrysch of West Hardin High School in
  Saratoga is receiving The Jane Johnson Wilson Award; Adriano M.
  Gonzalez of Business Careers High School in San Antonio is
  receiving The Glaxo Award; and Dora Alicia Newell of
  Thigpen-Zavala Elementary in McAllen is receiving The Verna
  Rogers Award; and
 
         WHEREAS, All of these highly regarded professionals have
  earned recognition from their peers for their proven ability to
  capture the imagination and attention of their students, for
  their instructional expertise, and for their collegial approach;
  and
 
         WHEREAS, The Texas Exes Awards program is jointly
  presented by The University of Texas at Austin, its College of
  Education, and the Texas Exes; as a recipient of the Texas Exes
  Award, each of these educators has achieved a rare distinction
  that is deserving of legislative recognition; now, therefore, be
  it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby commend the recipients of the Texas Exes
  Awards for Outstanding Teachers and extend to them best wishes
  for continued success in all their future endeavors; and, be it
  further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  these dedicated teachers as an expression of high regard from the
  Texas Senate.
 
  Watson
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on January 26, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate