SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 836
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Ralph Harris Poteet
 
         WHEREAS, The Lone Star State lost a respected educator with
  the death of former Mesquite Independent School District
  superintendent Dr. Ralph Harris Poteet, who passed away on
  September 23, 2012, at the age of 86; and
         WHEREAS, Born in Desdemona on July 12, 1926, to Sybil and
  William Poteet, Ralph Poteet attended Stephenville High School
  and graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown; he
  served his country in World War II and continued his education
  with graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin and
  The University of Texas at Arlington; he received his doctorate
  from East Texas State University; and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Poteet began his career in education in
  Bartlett in 1949, serving as a teacher, coach, and principal; he
  moved to Mesquite in 1955 to work as the head football coach, and
  five years later he was appointed business manager for the
  district; he served as assistant superintendent before being
  named district superintendent in 1964; and
         WHEREAS, For 22 years, Dr. Poteet oversaw the Mesquite
  Independent School District, ably guiding district schools
  through a period of significant growth; during his tenure, the
  district expanded to include 29 schools, and 30 new buildings
  were constructed on area campuses; Dr. Poteet was an energetic
  and visionary administrator who emphasized discipline and hard
  work, and he helped the district become one of the most
  innovative school systems in Texas, establishing the first
  public school radio station, along with a public school
  television station and a planetarium that were also among the
  earliest in the state; he also created a school-community
  partnership program that established a park along with each new
  school; and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Poteet was recognized with numerous awards
  for his leadership, including a Texas Superintendent of the Year
  regional award, the National Leadership Award from the National
  School Development Council, and the Outstanding Leadership Award
  from Phi Delta Kappa International, and he was named Mesquite
  Citizen of the Year twice; for his retirement in 1986, President
  Ronald Reagan, Texas Governor Mark White, and many other elected
  officials sent congratulatory letters; moreover, a new high
  school, the fourth in the district, was named for him, and his
  initials of RHP inspired the school's motto, "Respect, Honor, and
  Pride"; and
         WHEREAS, Following his retirement, Dr. Poteet continued to
  serve as a consultant with the district; he published articles on
  education in several magazines and served as an adjunct professor
  at East Texas State University; he further shared his time and
  talents as the chair of Keep Mesquite Beautiful, as a director of
  the Dallas County Appraisal District and the Christian Care
  Center, and as a member of the local Lions Club and chamber of
  commerce and the North Texas Council of Governments; and
         WHEREAS, A man of faith, Dr. Poteet belonged to the Church
  of Christ and served his congregation as a deacon and elder; in
  all of his endeavors, he enjoyed the love and support of his wife
  of 65 years, Anne Thomas Poteet, and he took great pride in their
  daughter, Carol Anne Tipton, and her husband, Steve, and in their
  grandsons, Casey, Jake, and Zach Tipton; and
         WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, his profession, and
  his community, Dr. Ralph Poteet made a positive difference in the
  lives of countless area Texans, and he leaves behind a legacy
  that will resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
  83rd Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Ralph
  Poteet and extend deepest sympathy to his friends and loved ones;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  his family, and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it
  do so in memory of Dr. Ralph Poteet.
 
  Deuell
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 6, 2013, by a
    rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate