H.R. No. 2413
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Thomas Jefferson High School in El Paso is
celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2009; and
WHEREAS, The first high school to be built in the eastern part
of El Paso, Jefferson opened its doors on September 6, 1949; J. M.
Whitaker, the first principal, and the Parent Teacher Association
chose the school colors, silver and scarlet, and mascot, the silver
fox, so that the football and band uniforms could be ready by the
start of the fall semester; music for the school song and fight song
was composed by Roy Wilson, the band director, and the lyrics for
both songs were written by his wife; and
WHEREAS, Departments at the new school included business,
English, Spanish, mechanical drawing, home economics, physical
education, art, band, mathematics, journalism, agriculture, social
studies, manual training, and distributive education; and
WHEREAS, A wide array of extracurricular activities were
organized during the first few years, ranging from the Junior
Historians, the Pan American club, and the Junior Nurses Aid Corps
to the "J" Club, for students who lettered in sports, the Officers
Club, for members of JROTC, and theater, science, and radio
organizations; and
WHEREAS, The first school year saw the establishment of
student government, the yearbook, named El Capitan, after the
highest peak in Texas, and the student paper, the Branding Iron,
along with such traditions as the junior and senior proms and the
selection of a football queen, JROTC queen, and basketball
sweetheart; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson sports got off to a roaring start in
1949-1950 with the B basketball team winning the school's first
championship and the baseball team taking second place in the
district; during the school's second year, Jefferson claimed
district championships in baseball, basketball, and golf;
intramural competition was also organized early on for both male
and female students; and
WHEREAS, Since graduating its first class of 21 seniors in
1950, this venerable school has educated thousands of El Paso
students and provided a strong academic foundation on which they
could build rewarding and fulfilling lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 60th anniversary of the opening
of Thomas Jefferson High School and extend to all those associated
with the school sincere best wishes for continued success in all
their endeavors; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Thomas Jefferson High School as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Chavez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2413 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House