H.R. No. 1734
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Joe Kuban inspired countless students during
more than three decades of service as a science teacher at Nolan
Catholic High School in Fort Worth before his retirement in 2008;
and
WHEREAS, A 1968 graduate of Nolan, Dr. Kuban returned to his
alma mater as a teacher in 1973, and the following year he founded
what is thought to be the longest-running high school ecology
studies program in the country; he soon became known for his lively
teaching style and passionate commitment to the environment, and
his compelling example ignited the curiosity and interest of
generations of students; and
WHEREAS, In a classroom distinguished by a display of globes,
fieldwork tools, and finds from his excursions, Dr. Kuban taught
students not only to identify flora and fauna but also to genuinely
appreciate the natural world; together, they often ventured
outdoors to engage with the environment firsthand, and each year he
led field trips to some of his favorite places, including Big Bend
National Park and the Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, as
well as Costa Rica and the Cayman Islands; he pointed out and
described trees, rocks, birds, flowers, fish, and coral reefs with
equal enthusiasm, and he encouraged students to become stewards of
the land; in fact, more than a few of them have taken that message to
heart and gone on to pursue careers in science and environmental
work; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kuban's delight in nature is rivaled only by his
love of music, and he found an outlet for this pursuit early on at
Nolan, when he wrote a song dedicated to the senior class; it marked
the beginning of a cherished tradition that graduating students
came to anticipate; moreover, in his leisure time, he composed
ballads about the beauty of Texas and recorded two albums as Joe
Kuban and the Lost Chizo Band; and
WHEREAS, After receiving a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis in the fall of 2006, Dr. Kuban continued to carry out his
teaching responsibilities with the same dedication he had always
demonstrated; he persevered for more than a year in a motorized
scooter that students decorated and equipped with a horn, and in the
end, rather than leaving his post to chance, he personally selected
and trained a local graduate student to take his place; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed educator, who grew up near Lake Worth,
holds two degrees from The University of Texas at Arlington and a
doctorate from Syracuse University; in 1995, he received a Goodall
ecology award, which earned him and his class a visit from renowned
anthropologist Jane Goodall herself, and his teaching, music, and
conservation legacy is honored in a plaque at Nolan; by his side is
his loving wife, DeLane Kuban, with whom he has enjoyed more than a
decade of marriage; and
WHEREAS, Though it is impossible to gauge the full effect of a
man's life, some individuals leave their unmistakable mark on the
world as they move through it, and Joe Kuban's contributions to
Nolan Catholic High School have made a profound difference that
will continue to resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dr. Joe Kuban for his exceptional service
as a longtime science teacher at Nolan Catholic High School and
extend to him sincere gratitude for his outstanding efforts in
behalf of young Texans; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Kuban as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Shelton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1734 was adopted by the House on May
11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House