H.R. No. 1117

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Norma Dell Jones of Lovelady has been chosen as Person of the Year for 2010 by the readers of Houston County Life magazine; and

WHEREAS, Nominees for the Person of the Year designation are residents of Houston County whose work as volunteers has had a positive effect in their community; this year's winner, Norma Dell Jones, was born in Lovelady and graduated as the valedictorian from Lovelady High School; she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Sam Houston State University, and she has also received certificates in professional teaching, special education, supervision, and administration; and

WHEREAS, Beginning her teaching career in 1959 in Porter Springs, Mrs. Jones moved to the Crockett Independent School District when her school was annexed; she taught English, Texas history, and music and coached girls' basketball and volleyball; in 1977, she became the executive director of the Sam Houston alumni association, holding that post until 1992, when she returned to Houston County to work as an administrator for Lovelady ISD; Mrs. Jones has further contributed to her professional community as a member of a host of educators' associations, including the Texas State Teachers Association, in which she holds a life membership and for which she conducted workshops and participated in numerous committees; in addition, she has served on the faculty advisory committee for Crockett ISD; and

WHEREAS, Since her retirement in 2008, Mrs. Jones has kept busy with numerous community efforts; she is involved in the continuing restoration of the Lovelady Old Gym, a local civic venue, and she publishes a weekly newspaper column in Houston County Life entitled "Cups and Saucers"; moreover, she is president of the Houston County Senior Citizen Center and mayor pro tempore of Lovelady, and she has been a councilmember for more than a decade; Mrs. Jones also shares her time and talents as a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she has served on the board of directors of the Houston County Hospital Authority; and

WHEREAS, Devoted to the musical arts, Mrs. Jones served as the music director for First Baptist Church in Lovelady and now sings in her church's choir and helps to organize performances at the Lovelady Old Gym; and

WHEREAS, In all of her endeavors, she enjoys the love and support of her husband of 30 years, Jerry D. Jones, her sons, "Binky" and Bruce Monk, and her stepdaughter, Nicole Jones Lolley; Mrs. Jones also takes pride in her four grandchildren, Kyle, Brandon, Mandy, and Cayla, and three great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Grayson, and Lane; and

WHEREAS, Norma Dell Jones has long demonstrated her dedication to improving the quality of life in her community, and the citizens of Houston County are fortunate indeed to count her among their fellow residents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Norma Dell Jones on her selection as Person of the Year for 2010 by Houston County Life magazine and commend her for her many good works; and, be it further

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

Hopson

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1117 was adopted by the House on April 14, 2011, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House