H.R. No. 49 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Gerardo Soto of the Harlandale Independent School District has been named the 2025 Education Service Center Region 20 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards; and WHEREAS, Mr. Soto is representing ESC Region 20 in the TASB State Superintendent of the Year award program that recognizes individuals for achievement and excellence in public school administration; honorees demonstrate strong leadership and a commitment to student success as well as to the improvement of educational quality and community engagement within their districts; and WHEREAS, When Mr. Soto began serving as Harlandale's superintendent in 2019, he brought more than 31 years of experience to the office, having worked as a paraprofessional aide, teacher, principal, and executive director of operations at Harlandale ISD; his accomplishments as superintendent include overseeing the repurposing of campuses to better meet student and staff needs and launching the Educational Partners Program and the Harlandale Makerspace Center, which offers hands-on learning; during his tenure, Harlandale has earned the state's highest financial accountability rating, and in 2022, voters approved the largest bond package in district history for such major projects as the Career and Technical Education Center; he also serves on the San Antonio Education Partnership and UP Partnership boards; and WHEREAS, Through his unwavering dedication to Harlandale ISD, Gerardo Soto has led the way in fostering a supportive and challenging educational environment, and he is truly deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Gerardo Soto on his selection as the 2025 ESC Region 20 Superintendent of the Year and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Soto as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Lujan ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 49 was adopted by the House on August 27, 2025, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House