87R28946 JGH-D
By: A. Johnson of Harris H.R. No. 1705
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. James A. McSwain is retiring as the west area
superintendent for the Houston Independent School District in 2021,
drawing to a close an outstanding career in education that has
spanned more than four decades; and
WHEREAS, James McSwain earned his bachelor's degree in
history from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1980, his
master's degree in educational administration from Tarleton State
University in 1988, and his doctorate in educational leadership
from Texas Tech University in 1995; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated educator began his career as a
teacher in 1980 at Grapevine High School and later taught at
Stephenville High School from 1989 to 1991; during his years in
Stephenville, he was also the principal of an alternative high
school operated by seven school districts; he went on to be
appointed principal of Colorado High School in Colorado City in
1991 and Texas High School in Texarkana in 1993; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Dr. McSwain joined Houston ISD, and for the
next 21 years, he was the principal of Lamar High School while
simultaneously serving as a mentor and lead principal for interns
and newly appointed principals across the district; he has been the
west area superintendent since 2018, responsible for the direct
operations and long-term planning of 77 campuses that serve more
than 70,000 students and employ 7,000 teachers and staff; and
WHEREAS, Dr. McSwain has shared his professional knowledge
through his work as an adjunct faculty member at the University of
St. Thomas, Houston Baptist University, the University of Houston,
and the Texas A&M University System; he has twice been named Texas
State Principal of the Year, earning the honor from the Texas
Association of Secondary School Principals in 1996 and the Texas
Association of Journalism Educators in 2004, and he is a past
president of TASSP; moreover, he has been honored by the Texas Music
Educators Association, the Nick Finnegan Foundation, and the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes; in 2016, he was cited for
distinguished service in education by the Crystal Apple Society and
the education department of Tarleton State University; and
WHEREAS, James McSwain's broad expertise and effective
leadership have benefited Houston ISD students and educators for
nearly a quarter century, and he may indeed reflect with pride on
his many career achievements; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. James A. McSwain on his
retirement from the Houston Independent School District and extend
to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. McSwain as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.