H.R. No. 1448
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Usamah Rodgers has received a 2023 Outstanding
Texan Award for House District 111 from the Texas Legislative Black
Caucus; and
WHEREAS, A fitting recipient of this notable honor,
Dr. Rodgers is the superintendent of the DeSoto Independent School
District; over the course of an exemplary career in education that
has spanned more than two decades, she has held several leadership
roles, including dean of instruction, assistant principal, and
campus principal; more recently, she has served as an executive
director and as deputy chief of strategic initiatives for Dallas
ISD, the 14th largest school system in the country; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic educator was integral in designing,
launching, and leading one of largest implementations of the
Pathways in Technology Early College High School programs in the
nation; she participated in the Harvard Principals Institute in
2009 and has delivered presentations to local, state, and national
conferences about the importance of access, advocacy, equity, and
excellence; in 2020, she was named the best K-12 Education Leader by
The Edvocate, and she was also honored as Teacher of the Year in
1998 and as Cedar Hill ISD Principal of the Year for 2008-2009;
moreover, she has been recognized by organizations such as the
Future School Leaders Network, the NAACP, the Garland Club of the
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's
Clubs, the Texas PTA, and Raise Your Hand Texas; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rodgers holds a bachelor's degree from Missouri
State University and a master's degree and doctorate from The
University of Texas at Austin; active in her community, she is a
member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the National
Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Through her myriad contributions to education,
Dr. Usamah Rodgers has made a positive difference in the lives of
countless young Texans, and it is a privilege to join in recognizing
an individual who has long been a force for good in her community;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. Usamah Rodgers on her receipt
of a 2023 Outstanding Texan Award for House District 111 from the
Texas Legislative Black Caucus 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. Rodgers as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Davis
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1448 was adopted by the House on May
19, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House