81R6614 JGH-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 389
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Carolyn Jo Burleson Ross is retiring from the
Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base in 2009,
drawing to a close a notable career that has spanned more than a
quarter-century; and
WHEREAS, A native of San Marcos, Ms. Ross was among the first
African Americans to graduate from Southwest Texas State College,
earning her degree in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Ross began her working life as an employee of the
Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service in San Marcos;
she then moved to San Antonio, where she worked as a tour guide at
the Institute of Texan Cultures at HemisFair '68 and as a social
worker for the Carmelite Learning Center; she also taught fifth
grade for the Edgewood Independent School District; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Ms. Ross began her long association with
the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base; as an
instructor in the General English Branch, she was recognized on a
number of occasions as Instructor of the Month and Instructor of the
Quarter and earned a promotion to supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Ross left the DLI in 1979 to join her husband,
U.S. Army Major Henry L. Ross, at his posting in Germany, and their
son, Mychal Jermaine, was born there in 1981; the family came back
to San Antonio in 1985, and Ms. Ross returned to DLI as an
instructor and was soon promoted to supervisor once again; and
WHEREAS, In the years since, Ms. Ross has distinguished
herself in a number of vital positions at the institute; she has
worked as an instructor and supervisor in the Instructor
Development Branch and has led teams of English teachers to the
School of the Americas in Columbus, Georgia, and Kangshan Air Force
Academy in Taiwan; since 1997, she has been supervisor of the
English as a second language instructors in the General English
Branch, overseeing the work of up to 10 teachers and 80 students on
a weekly basis; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her many professional
responsibilities, Ms. Ross has contributed to the success of the
DLI African American heritage and holiday programs as well as the
Combined Federal Campaign; moreover, she and the other members of
her singing group caused a sensation at the dean's talent show,
winning first place for their impersonation of Diana Ross and the
Supremes; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Ross's dedication, professionalism, and
commitment to excellence have greatly benefited her students and
colleagues at DLI, and she may indeed reflect with pride on a career
well spent as she prepares to embark on the next exciting chapter of
her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Carolyn Jo Burleson Ross on her
retirement from the Defense Language Institute and extend to her
sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Ross as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.