H.R. No. 36
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former students and staff of the G. B. Bennett
School in Buffalo are gathering together on June 17, 2017, for their
biennial reunion and banquet; and
WHEREAS, The G. B. Bennett School traces its roots back to
July 3, 1939, when the Buffalo Independent School District Board of
Trustees decided to apply to the Works Progress Administration for
funds to build a public school for local African American students;
construction began on a site secured from the Negro Baptist
Association, and the facility, named in honor of the Reverend G. B.
Bennett, pastor of New St. Holland Baptist Church, opened its doors
in 1942; following the integration of Buffalo ISD, the school was
permanently closed in 1969, after 27 years of operation; and
WHEREAS, The 2017 G. B. Bennett School alumni banquet offers
former Bulldogs a welcome opportunity to reflect on the knowledge
and skills they acquired as students, as well as on their fond
memories of Bennett's many extracurricular activities and events,
which included basketball games, May Day festivities, socials held
in the auditorium, and plays staged at the beginning and end of each
school year; and
WHEREAS, Receiving special recognition at this year's
reunion are the school's five surviving faculty members and staff:
fifth- and sixth-grade teacher Ralph Cormier; fourth- through
sixth-grade teacher Margaret Heggins; music teacher Bobbye
Bullock; homemaking and language arts teacher Birdene Perry; and
teacher's aide Lillie West; and
WHEREAS, During the nearly three decades that it was open,
the G. B. Bennett School gave numerous area youth a strong academic
foundation on which to build, and in so doing, it had a positive and
lasting impact on the Buffalo community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 2017 G. B. Bennett School
reunion and extend to all those in attendance sincere best wishes
for a meaningful and memorable event.
Ashby
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 36 was adopted by the House on
February 23, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House