H.C.R. No. 16       HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, Acclaimed educator Barbara Jean Bolden Yarbrough of   Midland is celebrating her 90th birthday on August 29, 2025, to the   great delight of her family, her friends, and the many former   students who are gathering to honor her; and          WHEREAS, Born in Franklin, Louisiana, in 1935, the former   Barbara Bolden earned her bachelor's degree in art education from   Texas Southern University; she was hired as an art teacher at   Midland's George Washington Carver Junior-Senior High School in   1959; later, she transitioned to preschool and first grade   instruction, and in 1973, she began her long and noteworthy tenure   on the faculty of Pease/South Elementary School; while mentoring a   host of youngsters, helping them to reach their fullest potential,   she took on a number of leadership roles; she served as president of   both the District Coordinating Council and the Midland Classroom   Teachers Association and as chair of the Midland Independent School   District Teachers Communication Committee; moreover, she was an   adjunct professor at The University of Texas Permian Basin and   Howard Bible College; and          WHEREAS, Mrs. Yarbrough retired in 1996, only to embark on a   new chapter spanning upwards of a quarter century as a parent   liaison for the South Elementary community; in addition, she has   supported a variety of educational initiatives and volunteered at   MISD football games; she has further benefited the community   through her efforts in behalf of the Midland County Child Welfare   Board, the Midland Community Action Agency Head Start Program, the   Texas Workforce Center, and the United Way of Midland, among   numerous other organizations; and          WHEREAS, In 2015, Midland ISD named Yarbrough Elementary   School in her honor; Mrs. Yarbrough is the recipient of the   prestigious 2021-2022 LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize,   conferred by the National Life Group on an educator who exemplifies   the highest ideals of the profession; Texas Monthly magazine   profiled her as the Most Inspiring Educator in the Country, and   among myriad accolades, she also garnered the Jefferson Award and   Retired Teacher of the Year Award from the Texas Classroom Teachers   Association; and          WHEREAS, Barbara Yarbrough has left an indelible mark on the   community, and this milestone in her life affords a welcome   opportunity for family, friends, and former students to express   their love and admiration; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas,   2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Barbara Jean Bolden   Yarbrough on the occasion of her 90th 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. Yarbrough as an expression of high regard by the   Texas House of Representatives and Senate.     Craddick       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.C.R. No. 16 was adopted by the House on   August 27, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.C.R. No. 16 was adopted by the Senate on   September 4, 2025, by a viva-voce vote.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor