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