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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Arnoldo F. Benavides is retiring as principal of |
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Freddy Gonzalez Elementary School in Edinburg on June 16, 2017, |
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drawing to a close a notable career in education that has spanned |
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more than half a century; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides graduated from La Joya High School in |
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1960 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education |
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from The University of Texas--Pan American and a master's degree in |
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counseling and guidance from Texas Tech University; after beginning |
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his career as a teacher in the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School |
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District, he joined the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School |
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District in 1971; he subsequently served as director of the UTPA |
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Head Start Training Center for 12 years before returning to |
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Edinburg CISD in 1984; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the course of his tenure, Mr. Benavides has |
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served the district in a variety of positions, including as a |
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counselor, curriculum specialist, teacher, and tutor; he was named |
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principal of the Edinburg Alternative Education Academy in 1988 and |
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appointed to the same role at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in |
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1992, and he has held his current position since 2004; under his |
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able leadership, Freddy Gonzalez Elementary has been accorded a |
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host of honors from such organizations as the Texas Education |
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Agency, the Texas Business and Education Coalition, and the |
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National Center for Educational Achievement, among many others; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Benavides has distinguished himself through |
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leadership positions with numerous professional organizations; he |
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has served as president of the local chapter of the Texas |
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Association for the Education of Young Children and as a member of |
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the National Head Start Association board; moreover, he has served |
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the Edinburg community as a city councilman and as mayor pro tem; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Arnoldo Benavides has made a positive impact in the |
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lives of countless young Texans throughout his long and commendable |
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career with Edinburg CISD, and he may reflect with great pride on |
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his achievements as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his |
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life; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Arnoldo F. Benavides on his |
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retirement as principal of Freddy Gonzalez Elementary School and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Benavides as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |