SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 609
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
join the Galena Park Independent School District in paying
tribute to Dr. Shirley J. Williamson, former Texas Commissioner
of Education, on the occasion of the dedication of the Dr.
Shirley J. Williamson Elementary School, which is being named in
her honor; and
WHEREAS, Shirley J. Williamson has spent much of her life
involved in the Galena Park Independent School District as a
student, teacher, administrator, and superintendent; she began
her education at Pyburn Elementary School in 1954 and graduated
from Galena Park High School in 1966; and
WHEREAS, After earning a degree at the University of
Houston, she began her career as a first grade teacher in the
Pasadena Independent School District in 1971, but her emotional
ties to Galena Park had her returning to the school district in
1975 as a teacher for MacArthur Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Williamson's leadership skills were evident,
and she was soon taking on administrative responsibilities; she
became assistant principal in 1977 and principal of MacArthur
Elementary School in 1979; she was named principal at Green
Valley Elementary School in 1984 and director of elementary
education for the district in 1986; she became assistant
superintendent for pupil services in 1992 and the district's
first female superintendent in 1995; and
WHEREAS, She was known then as Dr. Shirley J. Neeley, and her
contagious energy and enthusiasm, combined with an unrelenting
desire to ensure that every student in the Galena Park
Independent School District achieved his or her highest
potential, led the district to unprecedented academic
achievement; and
WHEREAS, The naming of the Dr. Shirley J. Williamson
Elementary School is a tribute to one of Galena Park's most
esteemed educational leaders and an expression of the gratitude
of its citizens for her hard work, her commitment, and her
perseverance in the pursuit of educational excellence; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
Legislature, hereby commend Dr. Shirley J. Williamson for her
many contributions to education in this state and extend to her
congratulations on being honored by the Galena Park Independent
School District; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Gallegos
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 14, 2009.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate