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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Proud representatives of the South Texas |
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Independent School District are gathering in Austin on March 12, |
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2025, in celebration of South Texas ISD Day at the State Capitol; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Established by order of the state legislature in |
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1964, South Texas ISD began as a residential school in Edinburg for |
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students with disabilities, who at the time were excluded from |
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public education; during the 1970s, the district enrolled special |
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education students from Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties and |
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provided them with the opportunity to develop valuable life and |
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vocational skills while participating in sports and other |
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activities; today, the district continues to offer educational and |
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occupational training to individuals with disabilities through |
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full-time enrollment and half-day programs; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1982, the State Board of Education initiated |
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plans for the first magnet school in South Texas; two years later, |
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the South Texas ISD Health Professions high school opened its |
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doors, marking a significant milestone for the advancement of |
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career and technical education in the Rio Grande Valley; over the |
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next several decades, the district established six additional |
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magnet schools offering specialized learning environments, |
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including the South Texas ISD Science Academy, South Texas ISD |
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Medical Professions, South Texas ISD World Scholars, South Texas |
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ISD Preparatory Academy, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy, |
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and South Texas ISD Virtual Academy; and |
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WHEREAS, An open-enrollment district, South Texas ISD |
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benefits from the able leadership of superintendent Dr. Marco |
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Antonio Lara Jr.; its schools are consistently ranked among the |
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best in the state and nation by Niche and U.S. News & World Report |
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and have made frequent appearances on Educational Results |
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Partnership Texas Honor Roll lists; four of its campuses have been |
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designated as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of |
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Education, and the district has further been honored by Niche by |
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being highly ranked on its Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas |
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and Best Places to Teach in Texas lists for multiple years; and |
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WHEREAS, South Texas ISD serves as a model for quality and |
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innovation in public education for not only the State of Texas but |
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the nation at large, and its schools have helped countless young |
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Texans explore pathways to success that align with their unique |
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talents and career aspirations; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 12, 2025, as South Texas ISD Day |
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at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere |
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best wishes for a productive and enjoyable stay in Austin. |
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Martinez |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 498 was adopted by the House on March |
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12, 2025, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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