H.R. No. 595

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Family, friends, and former colleagues will forever cherish their memories of longtime Dallas school administrator Dr. H. B. Bell, who passed away on May 25, 2012, at the age of 74; and

WHEREAS, Born on April 13, 1938, in Smith County to John Henry and Pauline Bell, H. B. Bell studied biology and English at Prairie View A&M University and returned to the school to earn a master's degree in administration and supervision; he later received a doctorate in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bell began his distinguished career as an assistant dean and a professor of English at Rust College in Mississippi, and he subsequently came to Dallas and taught at James Madison and L. G. Pinkston High Schools; transitioning to administration, he worked at Boude Story Junior High School, North Dallas High School, and the Yvonne Ewell Townview Magnet Center, where he served as executive director and educational planner and guided the progress of the first graduating class at that institution; and

WHEREAS, Assuming greater responsibility, Dr. Bell served in a number of executive-level positions in the Dallas Independent School District, including as director of teacher education centers, assistant superintendent for elementary instruction, special assistant to the general superintendent, and associate superintendent of alternative programs; in addition, he was employed as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and he oversaw his own educational consulting company and served as an advisor to the National Association of Secondary School Principals; a prominent member of his profession, he belonged to the National Alliance of Black School Educators, evaluated campuses as part of a National Blue Ribbon Schools committee, and presented papers at many conferences; he retired in 2005 after 42 years in education; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bell was recognized for his achievements with an Outstanding Administrative Leadership in Education Award and an NAACP Outstanding Educator Award, and he was inducted into the Dallas School Administrators Association Hall of Fame; moreover, he was named a distinguished alumnus by both of his college alma maters; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Dr. Bell gave generously of his time and talents as a volunteer; he was a life member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was active in Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Boule, as well as the NAACP, the Dallas SET Club, and the Cotillion Idlewild Club, which he served as president; and

WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Dr. Bell enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Susie, and his daughters, Diedrae, Dionica, and Halice; and

WHEREAS, Dr. H. B. Bell made a positive difference in the lives of countless young Texans during his years of service in the Dallas public schools, and his legacy will continue to resonate long into the future; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That tribute be paid to the life of Dr. H. B. Bell and that deepest sympathy be extended to the members of his family: to his wife, Susie Bell; to his daughters, Diedrae Carron Bell-Hunter, Dionica Britte Bell, and Halice Jacquelyn Furtado and her husband, Kenneth; to his granddaughter, Peyton Elise Bell-Hunter; to his sisters, Polly Ann Williams and Verna Carroll; to his brothers, Matthew Bell and his wife, Tina, and Timothy Bell and his wife, Trina; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. H. B. Bell.

Giddings

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 595 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 25, 2013.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House