H.R. No. 447
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The year 2013 marks the 125th anniversary of the
founding of Aoy Elementary School in El Paso; and
WHEREAS, Olivas Villanueva Aoy, a Franciscan priest, founded
what would become Aoy Elementary in 1887 to help Mexican children
learn English and prepare to enter public school; in 1888, the El
Paso Independent School District voted to officially make
Mr. Villanueva's school a part of the district and named it the
Mexican Preparatory School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Aoy taught the school's first students in a
six-classroom building on the corner of Chihuahua Street and
Francisco Street; after his death in 1895, the district renamed the
school Aoy Elementary to honor his service; three years later, the
district approved the construction of a new, larger campus on South
Campbell Street in the Segundo Barrio, or Second Ward, neighborhood
to meet the needs of the school's growing population; in 2003, local
voters approved a ballot measure that combined Aoy with another
nearby elementary school, Roosevelt, and the school now serves more
than 500 students; and
WHEREAS, One of the district's oldest elementary schools, the
institution continues to thrive under the guidance of principal
Martha Franco, who has worked with her faculty to maintain an
effective and nurturing learning environment, one that uses 21st
century technologies to prepare students for the opportunities that
lie ahead; and
WHEREAS, Aoy Elementary has equipped countless young Texans
with a strong educational foundation, and its 125-year history is a
testament to the enduring value the community places on the
education of its children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 125th anniversary of Aoy
Elementary School and extend to its administrators, faculty, 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 school as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Marquez
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 447 was adopted by the House on
February 28, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House