TITLE: Recognizing the Van Independent School District on the occasion of its official Texas Historical Marker dedication.

SUMMARY: Recognizing the Van Independent School District on the occasion of its official Texas Historical Marker dedication.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Van Independent School District on the occasion of the official Texas Historical Marker dedication ceremony in honor of Swindall School, Van Common School, and Van High School; and WHEREAS, The Texas Historical Commission honors those places and institutions that have had historical significance to the community and state; the Van Independent School District is now celebrating 131 years of continuous service in the field of education; and WHEREAS, In 1880, the area now known as Van consisted of scattered farm houses and a general store; recognizing the need for a school, George W. Swindall donated one acre for the establishment of a community school, which then came to bear his name, as did the community; the Van school district was officially established in 1903 and contained two schools, Swindall School and Spring Hill School; and WHEREAS, At the end of the 1915-1916 school year, Swindall and Spring Hill Schools were closed in order to establish a larger school that would be built between the two; in 1916, the two schools were consolidated to form Van Common School; the school opened with 95 students and four teachers; and WHEREAS, In 1929, the discovery of the Van Oil Field led to changes in the community, and the need for the expansion of area schools was clear; in the summer of 1930, a gymnasium was built and was used as a temporary high school, and after approval of a bond, a brick elementary school and a brick high school were ready for use at the start of the 1931-1932 school year; in 1935, Van High School was the first school in the county to have electric lights installed on its football field; later, during World War II, the school had a lookout station to document airplane flights over Van and offered a variety of classes to women and the oil workers in the community; another major building program for the schools was carried out during the war and completed in 1947; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to all who are a part of the Van Independent School District on the occasion of the official Texas Historical Marker dedication in honor of Swindall School, Van Common School, and Van High School; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this ceremony and the Van Independent School District. Deuell President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 10, 2011.