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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed |
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cause for celebration, and Jean Wilson Tunnell of Van is marking |
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this significant milestone in her life on June 2, 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Denison in 1915, the former Jean Wilson is |
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the daughter of John and Helen Wilson; growing up on the family farm |
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near Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County, she was active in 4-H and |
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advanced to state competition several times; as a teenager, she |
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rode her horse to Van High School, where she graduated as |
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valedictorian; and |
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WHEREAS, She worked her way through Trinity University and |
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went on to complete her master's degree at East Texas State Teachers |
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College; she taught in Colfax, Ben Wheeler, and Union Hill, and in |
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1942, she married Forrest Truman Tunnell; they settled in Dallas, |
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where she was employed for several years as a caseworker for |
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government benefit programs until the birth of a daughter, Joan, |
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and then a son, Forrest; and |
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WHEREAS, After the death of Mrs. Tunnell's father, her |
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husband bought out the other heirs to her family's ranch, and they |
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moved to Van in 1959; she returned to teaching three years later and |
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spent a dozen happy years developing innovative programs for |
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English students at Van High School; moreover, she coached |
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successful UIL contestants in spelling and essay writing and |
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chaperoned band members to out-of-town performances; and |
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WHEREAS, Jean Tunnell retired following the untimely passing |
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of Mr. Tunnell in 1974, but she continued to benefit her community |
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as a volunteer and as a member of the Van ISD school board; she also |
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taught a Sunday school class until she was 91; devoted to her |
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grandchildren, Rachel, Ellen, and Daniel Driver and Lauren and |
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Wesley Tunnell, she provided funds for their college educations and |
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set an example of independence and adventure by traveling to every |
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continent except Antarctica; in more recent years, she has known |
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the joy of welcoming nine great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, This cherished matriarch still resides in her |
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longtime home, which she shares with her granddaughter Ellen |
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Thompson and her three children; she keeps busy cooking, cheering |
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for the Cowboys and Mavericks, completing two daily crossword |
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puzzles, reading the editorial pages, and engaging in political |
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discussions; and |
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WHEREAS, A source of tremendous wisdom and inspiration, Jean |
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Tunnell has gracefully reached the century mark, and she continues |
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to enrich the lives of all who are fortunate enough to know her; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Jean Wilson Tunnell on the occasion |
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of her 100th birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for |
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continued happiness; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mrs. Tunnell as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Flynn |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1520 was adopted by the House on April |
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16, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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