Bill Text: TX HR1520 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating Jean Wilson Tunnell of Van on her 100th birthday.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-17 - Reported enrolled [HR1520 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HR1520-Enrolled.html
H.R. No. 1520 |
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WHEREAS, The 100th birthday of an esteemed Texan is indeed | ||
cause for celebration, and Jean Wilson Tunnell of Van is marking | ||
this significant milestone in her life on June 2, 2015; and | ||
WHEREAS, Born in Denison in 1915, the former Jean Wilson is | ||
the daughter of John and Helen Wilson; growing up on the family farm | ||
near Ben Wheeler in Van Zandt County, she was active in 4-H and | ||
advanced to state competition several times; as a teenager, she | ||
rode her horse to Van High School, where she graduated as | ||
valedictorian; and | ||
WHEREAS, She worked her way through Trinity University and | ||
went on to complete her master's degree at East Texas State Teachers | ||
College; she taught in Colfax, Ben Wheeler, and Union Hill, and in | ||
1942, she married Forrest Truman Tunnell; they settled in Dallas, | ||
where she was employed for several years as a caseworker for | ||
government benefit programs until the birth of a daughter, Joan, | ||
and then a son, Forrest; and | ||
WHEREAS, After the death of Mrs. Tunnell's father, her | ||
husband bought out the other heirs to her family's ranch, and they | ||
moved to Van in 1959; she returned to teaching three years later and | ||
spent a dozen happy years developing innovative programs for | ||
English students at Van High School; moreover, she coached | ||
successful UIL contestants in spelling and essay writing and | ||
chaperoned band members to out-of-town performances; and | ||
WHEREAS, Jean Tunnell retired following the untimely passing | ||
of Mr. Tunnell in 1974, but she continued to benefit her community | ||
as a volunteer and as a member of the Van ISD school board; she also | ||
taught a Sunday school class until she was 91; devoted to her | ||
grandchildren, Rachel, Ellen, and Daniel Driver and Lauren and | ||
Wesley Tunnell, she provided funds for their college educations and | ||
set an example of independence and adventure by traveling to every | ||
continent except Antarctica; in more recent years, she has known | ||
the joy of welcoming nine great-grandchildren; and | ||
WHEREAS, This cherished matriarch still resides in her | ||
longtime home, which she shares with her granddaughter Ellen | ||
Thompson and her three children; she keeps busy cooking, cheering | ||
for the Cowboys and Mavericks, completing two daily crossword | ||
puzzles, reading the editorial pages, and engaging in political | ||
discussions; and | ||
WHEREAS, A source of tremendous wisdom and inspiration, Jean | ||
Tunnell has gracefully reached the century mark, and she continues | ||
to enrich the lives of all who are fortunate enough to know her; | ||
now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas | ||
Legislature hereby congratulate Jean Wilson Tunnell on the occasion | ||
of her 100th birthday and extend to her sincere best wishes for | ||
continued happiness; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for Mrs. Tunnell as an expression of high regard by the | ||
Texas House of Representatives. | ||
Flynn | ||
______________________________ | ||
Speaker of the House | ||
I certify that H.R. No. 1520 was adopted by the House on April | ||
16, 2015, by a non-record vote. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||