H.R. No. 187
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of an admired Irving educator drew to a
close with the passing of Evelyn T. Clifton on April 28, 2011, at
the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 20, 1929, in Bessemer, Pennsylvania,
Evelyn Clifton knew from an early age that she wanted to teach; she
graduated from Bessemer High School and Slippery Rock State
Teachers College, and she later continued her education at North
Texas State University, earning a master's degree in elementary
school supervision in 1966; and
WHEREAS, After beginning her career in education in New
Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1951, Mrs. Clifton embarked on her long
association with the Irving Independent School District three years
later, initially serving as a second grade teacher at Schulze
Elementary School; she went on to teach first grade at Barton
Elementary for a decade and then returned to Schulze as one of the
district's first kindergarten teachers; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Clifton completed her tenure as a classroom
teacher at John Haley Elementary in 1975 and that same year began
her new role as an elementary consultant for the district; she
remained in that position until 1986, when she became the principal
at Brandenburg Elementary and was instrumental in the
implementation of a bilingual program at the school; she retired in
1994, and her 37 years of dedicated service to Irving ISD were
recognized when the Evelyn T. Clifton Early Childhood School was
named in her honor; in addition to meeting the demands of her
career, she was very active in the community and held memberships in
a variety of worthwhile organizations; and
WHEREAS, Through her commitment to providing young people
with a solid educational foundation, Evelyn Clifton made a positive
difference in many lives, and all those who were privileged to spend
time in her company will forever remember her with great admiration
and affection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Evelyn T. Clifton and extend sincere condolences to the members
of her family: to her daughter, Donna Thurman, and her husband,
Dean; to her son, Clif Clifton, and his wife, Patti; to her
grandsons, Brian Robinson and Craig Clifton; to her granddaughters,
Britney Hamilton and her husband, Kyle, and Jennie Clifton; to her
great-grandson, Grant Hamilton; and to her other relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Evelyn T.
Clifton.
Harper-Brown
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 187 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House