H.R. No. 2664
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Martin Peña is retiring as executive director of the
South Texas Association of Schools in June 2017, drawing to a close
an outstanding career in education that has spanned more than half a
century; and
WHEREAS, After earning an associate degree from Del Mar
Junior College, Mr. Peña received a bachelor's degree in secondary
education and a master's degree and high school principal
certification from Texas A&I University; he also holds
superintendent certification from Pan American University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Peña embarked on his career in 1960 as a faculty
member with the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District, and over
the next seven years, he taught both there and in the Pharr-San
Juan-Alamo ISD; in 1966, he moved into administration in the
Edcouch-Elsa school district, where he served as an assistant
principal, as assistant superintendent, and as director of federal
programs, and between 1971 and 1973, he held the posts of principal,
director of federal programs, and assistant superintendent in
Mercedes ISD; and
WHEREAS, After serving as deputy executive director for the
Region One Educational Service Center and as assistant and deputy
superintendent of PSJA ISD, Mr. Peña became superintendent of Point
Isabel ISD in 1976; he took office as superintendent of Los Fresnos
ISD in 1989, and six years later, he returned to his post as
superintendent in Point Isabel; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the cause of public education, Mr. Peña
played a leading role in the creation of the South Texas Association
of Schools in 1999; for the past 18 years, he has led the
association as executive director, working tirelessly to promote
effective education policy, to advocate for fair and equitable
funding, and to champion the interests of schoolchildren throughout
South Texas and across the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Peña enjoys the love and
support of his wife of 53 years, Lucila Peña, and his life has been
further enriched by his five children, Gabe, Palmira, Mike,
Cecilia, and Robert, and his eight grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Martin Peña's expertise, professionalism, and
unwavering commitment to improving Texas schools have greatly
benefited generations of young people and earned him the respect
and admiration of his fellow educators, and he may indeed reflect
with pride on a career well spent as he embarks upon the next
exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Martin Peña on his retirement as
executive director of the South Texas Association of Schools and
extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Peña as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Oliveira
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2664 was adopted by the House on May
29, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House