88S40434 JRI-D
 
  By: Zwiener H.R. No. 29
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The Texas State University community is mourning the
  loss of Dr. Elvin Holt, professor emeritus of English, who passed
  away on September 18, 2023, at the age of 77; and
         WHEREAS, The son of Naomi Holt Stredic and Aaron Stredic Sr.,
  Elvin Holt was born in Bay City on September 25, 1945; he earned a
  bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University,
  a master's degree from Texas State, and a doctoral degree from the
  University of Kentucky; after joining the Texas State faculty in
  1983, he became the first tenured Black professor in the Department
  of English; his research and writing focused on African and African
  American literature, cultural studies, and folklore; while
  instilling appreciation for once-undervalued works, he both
  challenged and nurtured his students, winning multiple teaching
  awards; he received three fellowships from the National Endowment
  for the Humanities, and he was named the 1989 Professor of the Year
  by the Association of Black Students; and
         WHEREAS, Dr. Holt was coeditor of Acting Up and Getting Down:
  Plays by African American Texans and coauthor of Stages of Struggle
  and Celebration: A Production History of Black Theatre in Texas;
  during his 37-year career, he developed and taught Honors College
  courses and served the university on numerous committees; he also
  shared his vast knowledge of San Marcos's Black community as a
  member of such local organizations as the Heritage Association of
  San Marcos, the San Marcos Historic Preservation Commission, the
  Hays County Historical Commission, and the LBJ MLK Crossroads
  Memorial committee; he was a founding member and the
  longest-serving president of the Calaboose African American
  History Museum; following his retirement from academia in 2020, he
  remained active as an archivist; both a museum scholarship and a
  street on the TXST Round Rock campus were named in his honor; and
         WHEREAS, A trailblazing educator and inspiring mentor, Elvin
  Holt will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to resonate
  for years to come; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
  Dr. Elvin Holt and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
  family: to his sisters, Flora Jackson, Nelda Stredic Jackson, and
  Vivian Stredic; to his brother, Errol Stredic; 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. Elvin
  Holt.