H.R. No. 1466
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso is marking its
100th anniversary in 2013, and this milestone provides a fitting
opportunity to pay tribute to the powerful impact that the school
has had in the lives of countless young people; and
WHEREAS, The institute's groundwork was first laid in the
early 20th century when Lydia Patterson, a Methodist laywoman
working through the women's outreach ministry of her church, took
notice of the lack of schools available for young Hispanic boys in
the barrio and began arranging classes out of the homes of some of
her fellow Methodists; in time, she envisioned a more centralized
location to educate high school students and train future Methodist
ministers, but she died before it could be realized; a few
like-minded contemporaries took up her mission, and in 1913, after
her husband donated a substantial sum to finance its construction,
Lydia Patterson Institute opened its doors; and
WHEREAS, Today, Lydia Patterson Institute provides a
challenging academic environment and a source of Christian
instruction for more than 400 high school-age men and women, a
majority of whom live in the Mexican border town of Ciudad Juarez;
as one of the first schools in the United States to emphasize the
teaching of English as a second language, the institute has a
longstanding record of nurturing bilingualism and biculturalism
and preparing its students for success in higher education; and
WHEREAS, The efficacy of its academic programming can be seen
in Lydia Patterson students' outstanding record of achievement,
with graduation rates among entering freshmen exceeding 95 percent
and with more than 90 percent of seniors going on to attend
universities in the United States; the graduating class of 2010
collectively received more than $2 million in competitive college
scholarships; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of a century of "building bridges on
the border," Lydia Patterson Institute has helped many motivated
young leaders develop a strong foundation of knowledge that will
serve them throughout their lives, and its enduring success is
indeed a tribute to the numerous dedicated educators and
administrators who have graced its halls; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Lydia Patterson Institute on the occasion
of its centennial and extend to its teachers, staff, and students
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the institute as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Marquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1466 was adopted by the House on April
24, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House