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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Katie Erin Palmer made invaluable contributions to |
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the Denison Independent School District and her community over the |
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course of her career, and her legacy of leadership and civic |
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engagement will forever inspire all those who knew and loved this |
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esteemed educator; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Denison, Katie Palmer was born on May 3, |
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1981, and she graduated from Austin College in 2003 with a |
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bachelor's degree in biology; she distinguished herself during her |
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tenure with Denison ISD, serving as a biology, robotics, and |
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science, technology, engineering, and math teacher at Scott Middle |
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School, where she was named Teacher of the Year multiple times; |
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additionally, she received the Ross Perot Fellowship and was |
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honored as a Scott's Scholar Sponsor and a school district |
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Difference Maker; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Palmer was known for her conservation and |
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nature rehabilitation work, including volunteering at Hagerman |
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National Wildlife Refuge, and she was a member of the Denison |
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Service League; she helped provide clothing, school supplies, and |
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food to those in need, and under her guidance, her students made |
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comforters for delivery to area hospitals and nursing homes; and |
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WHEREAS, On April 21, 2020, Mrs. Palmer was walking with her |
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husband, John, when they were struck by a vehicle; she later died |
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from her injuries; she was a devoted wife and the proud mother of |
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two children, Bella and Brandon, and after the accident, her family |
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began tirelessly seeking justice in her case; in 2021, a Texas law |
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was passed that requires any driver who seriously injures or kills a |
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pedestrian to submit to a blood alcohol test; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Mrs. Palmer's spirit of kindness and |
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compassion is reflected in the mission of Katie's Closet, which |
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provides clothes to Denison ISD students in need, and through the |
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Katie Palmer Project, a community outreach initiative that gifts |
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Christmas lights to families experiencing hardship; her efforts are |
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also honored with a memorial educational pavilion bearing her name |
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at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, where she taught youth |
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classes; and |
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WHEREAS, Katie Palmer was deeply committed to Denison ISD and |
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her community, and she made a lasting impact in the lives of those |
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who were fortunate enough to know her; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the memory of Katie Erin Palmer and pay |
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tribute to her life and service; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Luther |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1141 was adopted by the House on June |
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1, 2025, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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