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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, For more than 25 years, the Texas Medical |
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Association has honored Texas science teachers who have rendered |
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exemplary service to the youth in their communities through the |
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Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, After the idea was first conceived by Dr. Max C. |
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Butler, the TMA presented its first awards recognizing individuals |
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who have enhanced the public's understanding and appreciation of |
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science during its annual session in May 1990; today, the awards are |
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given to teachers who develop creative methods to cultivate student |
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interest in medicine and science; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1998, a $30,000 endowment in support of the |
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awards program was established through the Texas Medical |
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Association Foundation by Dr. Ernest Butler and his wife, Sarah |
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Butler; the couple's cumulative contributions to the foundation in |
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the years since have totaled more than $1 million, enabling the TMA |
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to present 196 awards with a value of over $408,000 to Texas science |
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teachers; and |
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WHEREAS, This year, the total value of the awards has |
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increased to $60,500, up from $24,000 in 2016; the honorees include |
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elementary, middle, and high school teachers, who can use the funds |
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to enhance their teaching techniques and to advance their school's |
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science curriculum; and |
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WHEREAS, Science teachers play an essential role in the |
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development of future physicians, scientists, and researchers, and |
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the Texas Medical Association is to be commended for encouraging |
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innovation and excellence in science education; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the Texas Medical Association for its |
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Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching |
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program and extend to the association sincere best wishes for |
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continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the association as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |