Bill Text: TX SR7 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: In memory of Opal Johnson Smith.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-07-22 - Printed in full [SR7 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-SR7-Enrolled.html
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In Memory | ||
of | ||
Opal Johnson Smith | ||
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and | ||
commemorates the life of Opal Johnson Smith, who died December | ||
27, 2020, at the age of 86; and | ||
WHEREAS, Born August 27, 1934, Opal Johnson was an esteemed | ||
member of the Dallas community and a native of Nigton, Texas; she | ||
graduated from high school at the young age of 15 and earned a | ||
bachelor's degree in mathematics from Prairie View A&M | ||
University before her 20th birthday; and | ||
WHEREAS, Opal was an active member of the Dallas Prairie | ||
View A&M University Alumni Chapter, and over the years, her | ||
fund-raising prowess contributed greatly to the growth and | ||
success of the university; she established the highly successful | ||
Annual Athletic Scholarship Gala, and her work as co-chair for | ||
the university's Capital Campaign led to more than $34 million in | ||
funding; she was honored for her service and contributions to her | ||
alma mater and the Prairie View A&M University Foundation in 2006 | ||
with the dedication of the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, and in | ||
2003, she was inducted into the National Black College Hall of | ||
Fame; and | ||
WHEREAS, A highly respected educational leader, Opal | ||
earned a master's degree from the University of | ||
Wisconsin-Madison and enjoyed a 35-year career in the Texas | ||
public education system; she amassed numerous awards for her | ||
outstanding service as a teacher and an administrator, and she | ||
retired as the director of alternative certification for the | ||
Dallas Independent School District; and | ||
WHEREAS, Through all things, Opal enjoyed the love and | ||
support of her husband of 62 years, Joe Edward Smith, a fellow | ||
Prairie View alumnus who shared her enthusiastic commitment to | ||
supporting and promoting education; they were blessed with four | ||
children, who they guided by loving spiritual example, and their | ||
eight grandchildren were a source of great pride and joy for her; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, Opal Smith was a woman of great wisdom, kindness, | ||
and generosity and was beloved by many, and her proud legacy of | ||
service will continue to have an impact on the lives of Texas | ||
citizens for years to come; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th | ||
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere | ||
condolences to the bereaved family of Opal Johnson Smith; and, be | ||
it further | ||
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for | ||
her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas | ||
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in | ||
memory of Opal Smith. | ||
West | ||
________________________________ | ||
President of the Senate | ||
I hereby certify that the | ||
above Resolution was adopted by | ||
the Senate on July 22, 2021, by a | ||
rising vote. | ||
________________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
________________________________ | ||
Member, Texas Senate |