85R12647 BPG-D
By: Wu H.R. No. 623
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Chantal Bencze has taught French at St. Thomas
Episcopal School in Houston for 53 years, and it is indeed fitting
to recognize her and honor her for her remarkable career; and
WHEREAS, A native speaker of French, Mrs. Bencze was hired in
1963 by the school's founder, the Reverend T. Robert Ingram; the
position has suited her ideally, as she is a strong proponent of a
faith-based, classical education, and she enjoys introducing her
students to the wonders and complexities of her mother tongue; she
ensures that her students are well versed not only in correct
grammar but also in good manners; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bencze was born in Limoges, France, in 1934, to
Dr. Jean Dufour and Denise Dufour; she grew up as one of 10 children
and was educated in parochial schools; during the Nazi occupation,
her parents helped their Jewish compatriots, and she and her
siblings found small ways to show defiance to enemy soldiers; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 19, while on vacation in England, she
met an American soldier, Richard Gay, and they married and moved to
Miami before settling in Houston; she later married Stephen Bencze;
her family has grown through the years to include 6 children, 18
grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, and she maintains close
ties to her many relatives in France; in her free time, she is an
avid reader of histories and literary classics; and
WHEREAS, Few teachers can claim a career spanning more than a
half century, and through her enduring commitment to education,
Chantal Bencze continues to make a positive difference in the lives
of young Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Chantal Bencze for her 53-year career at
St. Thomas Episcopal School 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 Mrs. Bencze as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.