TITLE: Recognizing March 6 through 10, 2023, as Texas Public Schools Week and honoring the members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas for their commitment to education.

SUMMARY: Recognizing March 6 through 10, 2023, as Texas Public Schools Week and honoring the members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas for their commitment to education.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Since 1950, the Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of Texas have designated a week in March to pay tribute to our public school system; and WHEREAS, Many of the state's earliest leaders were Masons who led the movement for public education; these included Stephen F. Austin and Mirabeau B. Lamar, nicknamed the "Father of Texas Education" for successfully advocating for a permanent endowment to support public education; thanks to his efforts, such a fund continues to supplement the education budget today; and WHEREAS, In addition to their influence in shaping policy, Freemasons also established schools across Texas, often opening the doors of their lodges to any person with a desire for learning; they championed access to education for all at a crucial point in Texas history, and that dedication to public schools has remained an important focus of the organization; current members contribute to their communities by recognizing teachers with awards and providing scholarships to deserving students; and WHEREAS, Texas public schools prepare a diverse student population for the unique challenges of the 21st century, and the success of these institutions relies on the hard work and cooperation of numerous professionals and volunteers alike; and WHEREAS, A quality education is vital to the prosperity of individuals, families, communities, and the entire state, and it is indeed appropriate to pause and acknowledge the contributions of public schools to the Lone Star State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby recognize March 6 through 10, 2023, as Texas Public Schools Week and honor the members of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas for their commitment to these public institutions; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the Grand Lodge of Texas as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Raney Phelan Guerra Murr Allen Guillen Neave Criado Allison Harless Noble Anch a Harris of Anderson Oliverson Anderson Harris of Williamson Ordaz Ashby Harrison Orr Bailes Hayes Ortega Bell of Kaufman Hefner Patterson Bell of Montgomery Hernandez Paul Bernal Herrero Perez Bhojani Hinojosa Plesa Bonnen Holland Price Bowers Howard Ramos Bryant Hull Raney Buckley Hunter Raymond Bucy Isaac Reynolds Bumgarner Jetton Rogers Burns Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr. Burrows A. Johnson of Harris Rose Button J. Johnson of Harris Rosenthal Cain Jones of Dallas Schaefer Campos Jones of Harris Schatzline Canales Kacal Schofield Capriglione King of Hemphill Shaheen Clardy King of Uvalde Sherman, Sr. Cole Kitzman Shine Collier Klick Slaton Cook Kuempel Slawson Cortez Lalani Smith Craddick Lambert Smithee Cunningham Landgraf Spiller Darby Leach Stucky Davis Leo-Wilson Swanson Dean Longoria Talarico DeAyala Lopez of Bexar Tepper Dorazio Lopez of Cameron Thierry Dutton Lozano Thimesch Flores Lujan Thompson of Brazoria Frank Manuel Thompson of Harris Frazier Martinez Tinderholt Gamez Martinez Fischer Toth Garcia Metcalf Troxclair Gates Meyer Turner Gerdes Meza VanDeaver Geren Moody Vasut Gervin-Hawkins Morales of Harris Vo Goldman Morales of Maverick Walle Gonz lez of Dallas Morales Shaw Wilson Gonz lez of El Paso Morrison Wu Goodwin Mu oz, Jr. Zwiener Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 154 was adopted by the House on March 6, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House