H.R. No. 2417
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, After more than three decades of distinguished
service to the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District,
Gilberto Garza, Jr., is retiring as superintendent at the end of
June 2009; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garza was born and raised in San Isidro and
attended the University of Kansas before returning to Texas to earn
his bachelor's and master's degrees in education at The University
of Texas--Pan American; he began his career as a teacher with the
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District in 1971 and joined
Edinburg CISD six years later; he soon embarked on an
administrative path and served as the principal of three elementary
schools before becoming director of elementary education; and
WHEREAS, In August 2006, Mr. Garza became acting
superintendent of ECISD, which serves a 945-square-mile area,
making it one of the geographically largest school districts in the
nation; he was appointed interim superintendent a few months later
and superintendent in April 2007; under his leadership, the
district has achieved outstanding academic results, and in 2008 the
Texas Education Agency designated 12 of its campuses as "exemplary"
and 15 as "recognized"; and
WHEREAS, The safe schools program directed by Mr. Garza has
placed police security officers at every one of the district's 27
elementary schools and police security as well as certified police
officers at the 5 middle schools and 3 high schools; in addition,
Mr. Garza has led an extensive building and renovation program that
has included the addition of seven classroom wings, the
construction of a multimillion-dollar maintenance and facility
complex and an instructional technology complex, and the expansion
of a number of elementary school libraries; and
WHEREAS, Despite the turbulence in the national economy,
ECISD has maintained sound finances, and in May 2008, Mr. Garza was
instrumental in gaining community support for a school bond issue
of more than $100 million for the construction of new schools and
further renovations, now well under way; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Garza enjoys the love and
support of his wife, Anita Garza, and their children, Gilbert Garza
III and Gina Vela; and
WHEREAS, known for his fair and down-to-earth management
style, Gilberto Garza has demonstrated exemplary leadership and
dedication during his tenure as superintendent, and his noteworthy
contributions over the course of 38 years in education have greatly
benefited the children of the Rio Grande Valley; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Gilberto Garza, Jr., on his
retirement as superintendent of the Edinburg Consolidated
Independent School District and extend to him best wishes for
continued happiness as he embarks on a new chapter in his life; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Garza as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Pea
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2417 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House