H.R. No. 1791 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Karen Ellis has served as a trustee of the Richardson Independent School District since 1999, demonstrating admirable dedication to her community and its children; and WHEREAS, Currently serving as the board's secretary, Ms. Ellis previously held the offices of vice president and treasurer; she received Master Trustee certification in 2001, having completed the Leadership TASB program of the Texas Association of School Boards; and WHEREAS, Ms. Ellis was elected in 2006 to a three-year term representing Region 10A on the TASB board; she has served on the TASB Legislative Advisory Council and as a delegate to the Delegate Assembly, and she has also participated in panels and presentations at major TASB events; and WHEREAS, A member of the executive committee of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards, Ms. Ellis further supports public education through her work with the Federal Relations Network and TASB Advocacy Network, and she has testified before legislative committees on school matters; she has served as president of her local Parent Teacher Association as well and was membership vice president for the RISD Council of PTAs; in recognition of her outstanding efforts, she received a Texas PTA Life Membership and Extended Service Award; and WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan completed the Leadership Richardson program of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and has served the organization as a curriculum advisor and mentor, and she was recognized as its Alumnus of the Year in 2006; moreover, she gives generously of her time and talents as an active member of the Richardson East Rotary Club and the Heights Baptist Church; an apparel representative with Leon & Associates of Dallas, she attended the University of North Texas; and WHEREAS, Providing young people with a quality education is essential to creating a prosperous future for our state and nation, and through her achievements as a trustee of the Richardson ISD, Karen Ellis has earned the profound appreciation of her fellow Texans; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby commend Karen Ellis for her exemplary service to the Richardson Independent School District Board of Trustees and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success in her worthwhile endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Ellis as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Kent Madden Hartnett Button ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1791 was adopted by the House on May 11, 2009, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House