82R23365 JNC-D
By: Patrick H.R. No. 1512
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Native Texan Wendy Kopp has made a significant
contribution to public education as the founder and CEO of Teach For
America; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Highland Park High School in Dallas,
Ms. Kopp earned her bachelor's degree from Princeton University in
1989; for her undergraduate thesis, she proposed the creation of a
program that would allow top college students to make a positive
difference in the world by teaching in economically disadvantaged
schools; she went on to make that vision a reality by founding Teach
For America in 1990; as a 21-year-old, this remarkable Texan raised
$2.5 million in start-up funding, hired a staff, and recruited 500
men and women from across the country who shared her vision; and
WHEREAS, Today, under Ms. Kopp's able guidance, Teach For
America benefits more than 500,000 students; currently, the
organization recruits, trains, and employs 8,000 teachers who serve
in 39 regions across the country; these recent college graduates
and professionals commit to two years of service in urban and rural
schools in low-income communities, and in Texas, their
contributions are bolstering student achievement in the Rio Grande
Valley, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, With passion and determination, Wendy Kopp has
dedicated more than two decades to improving public education, and
in so doing, she is helping to transform the lives of countless
young men and women across the state and nation; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commend Wendy Kopp for her exceptional social
entrepreneurship and extend to her sincere best wishes for
continued success with her important work in behalf of educational
equity and excellence; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Kopp as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.