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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Jim Dunlap retired as an instructor and curator at |
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Holifield Science Learning Center in the Plano Independent School |
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District in December 2010, bringing to a close an exemplary career |
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in education that has spanned nearly three and a half decades; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dunlap first became fascinated with animals when |
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he was growing up in Mesquite; by the age of 10, he had a collection |
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of 52 box turtles, and his father built a shed in the backyard to |
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house them; and |
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WHEREAS, After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Mr. |
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Dunlap returned to Texas and started his career as a biology teacher |
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at Plano Senior High School in the 1970s; he engaged students with |
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his passion for nature and especially captured their attention when |
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he shared his live animal collection; his classes soon became so |
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popular that he had to move rooms every few years to accommodate the |
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demand; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dunlap and his growing menagerie eventually |
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relocated from the school building entirely; in 1989, the |
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district's science learning center opened, and Mr. Dunlap became |
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curator of the Living Materials Center there; no longer Plano |
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Senior High's resource alone, Mr. Dunlap became an icon to |
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thousands of local students who learned hands-on about the |
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fascinating world of animals during field trips to the center or |
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during Mr. Dunlap's visits to their classrooms with his animals in |
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tow; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the years, a variety of creatures have made |
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their home at the Living Materials Center, some permanently and |
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some until a better place could be found; among the 200 to 400 |
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regular residents are Blossom the cockatoo, who dances to the song |
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"Barbara Ann," Wilma the turkey buzzard, Louie the bobcat, and Toby |
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the African spur-thighed tortoise; Katy the python, a longtime |
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companion of Mr. Dunlap's who earned him the nickname "the snake |
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man," was a favorite of students until she passed away; although the |
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center will not be the same without Mr. Dunlap's delightful |
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presence, his contributions will forever be reflected in the |
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facility's new name, the Jim Dunlap Living Materials Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Dunlap's reputation extends well beyond Plano |
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ISD, thanks to his many appearances on cable television and his |
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published works, including nonfiction and children's fiction; in |
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retirement, he will continue to share his insights and knowledge |
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about animals as an employee of the Dallas Zoo; and |
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WHEREAS, Beloved by generations of North Texans, Jim Dunlap |
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inspired in countless students curiosity and excitement about the |
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natural world, and it is indeed a pleasure to honor him for his |
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outstanding service; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Jim Dunlap on his retirement from |
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Plano ISD and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
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happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Dunlap as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Taylor of Collin |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 797 was adopted by the House on March |
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17, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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