TITLE: Congratulating Sam Houston Middle School in Irving on being named a finalist for the 2011 Panasonic National School Change Awards.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Sam Houston Middle School in Irving on being named a finalist for the 2011 Panasonic National School Change Awards.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Sam Houston Middle School of the Irving Independent School District was named a finalist for the 2011 Panasonic National School Change Awards; and WHEREAS, An initiative of the National Principals Leadership Institute, the Panasonic National School Change Awards were created to recognize schools that have instituted practices that have significantly changed the overall performance and outlook of the school for the better; the program is supported by the Panasonic Corporation and cosponsored by the American Association of School Administrators; and WHEREAS, Sam Houston Middle School was 1 of only 20 finalists for the 2011 awards, and the school will be honored, along with the other finalists and six award winners, at a national ceremony to be held on July 11, 2011, in New York City; and WHEREAS, Ably led by principal Robert Abel and assistant vice principals Lariza Liner, Jessica Rose, and Bonnie Richardson, the school has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students in the sixth through eighth grades; in 2010, Sam Houston Middle School earned a "recognized" rating from the Texas Education Agency; and WHEREAS, In addition to the contributions of its principal, vice principals, and teachers, Sam Houston Middle School has benefited from the leadership of Irving ISD superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden, special assistant to the superintendent Ralph Diaz, and director of secondary teaching and learning Randy Cobb, as well as from the vision and guidance of the Irving ISD Board of Trustees, which includes president Valerie Jones, vice president Nancy L. Jones, secretary Heather Ashley, and members Jerry Christian, Gwen Craig, Ronda Huffstetler, and A. D. Jenkins; and WHEREAS, Through hard work and commitment, the administrators, teachers, students, and parents of Sam Houston Middle School have established a notable record of academic achievement, and their outstanding efforts are indeed worthy of special recognition; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Sam Houston Middle School on being named a finalist for the 2011 Panasonic School Change Awards and extend to all those associated with the school sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Sam Houston Middle School as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Harper-Brown Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2665 was adopted by the House on May 30, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House