84R23211 JNC-D
By: Deshotel H.R. No. 1978
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Those Texans who give generously of their time and
talents to benefit the larger community make the world a better
place through their actions and their example, and Dr. Paula
Francis-Richardson of Port Arthur is one such person; and
WHEREAS, A native of Port Arthur, Dr. Francis-Richardson
graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School; she pursued her higher
education at Texas Southern University, where she earned her degree
and became involved in the Houston Voter Registration Project; she
later went on to complete her Ph.D. in humanities at Shreveport
Bible College; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Francis-Richardson was employed as a program
consultant in the governor's office, overseeing the Job Training
Partnership Act in five regions, and she later worked with
proprietary schools for the Texas Education Agency; she returned to
her hometown in 1993 and began her career in the classroom, serving
as a teacher with the Port Arthur Independent School District; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed educator established the Tekoa
Academy of Accelerated Studies in August 1999, originally serving
students from kindergarten through sixth grade; today, the school
operates an additional campus in Orange and provides a
comprehensive education to pre-K through 12th grade students;
moreover, Dr. Francis-Richardson's valuable knowledge and
expertise leading Tekoa have helped the institution earn STEM
school recognition from the state comptroller's office; and
WHEREAS, Respected within her profession,
Dr. Francis-Richardson is a member of a number of worthwhile
organizations, including the Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development and the Texas Charter School Association;
she has participated in the Brookings Institution executive
leadership program and the National Political Congress of Black
Women, and she is a lifetime member of the NAACP; in addition, she
has served area citizens through her tenure as vice president of the
Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Francis-Richardson has demonstrated an
exceptional commitment to providing many Texans with a strong
academic foundation on which to build, and it is a privilege to
honor her for her accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commend Dr. Paula Francis-Richardson on her
outstanding contributions to the betterment of her community and
extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Francis-Richardson as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.