[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 172 (Friday, October 2, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. BETTINA ``TINA'' ATKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 2020

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Bettina ``Tina'' Atkins, a pioneer in education who passed away on 
Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the age of 61.
  Dr. Bettina ``Tina'' Atkins was born in Des Moines, Iowa, later 
moving to South Texas as a teenager. She graduated from McAllen High 
School in 1977 and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in 
Communication from the University of Texas, Pan American (UTPA) in 
1981, now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
  Dr. Atkins went on to earn a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership 
at UTPA in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Organization Leadership from Our Lady of 
the Lake University in 2015. She shared her love of and commitment to 
lifelong learning with thousands of children in South Texas.
  Dr. Atkins' dedication to educational equality made her one of the 
most influential women in South Texas in the field of higher education. 
Dr. Atkins spent 24 years with Region One, an organization that assists 
school districts improve student performance and implement initiatives 
assigned by the state legislature or education commissioner. During her 
tenure with Region One, Dr. Atkins helped bring the first GEAR-UP grant 
to South Texas in 1999. These grants are designed to provide more low-
income students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in 
postsecondary education.
  Eventually, Dr. Atkins became the Director of several GEAR-UP grants, 
helping over 25,000 students and their families reach postsecondary 
education, changing their lives forever. Dr. Atkins also helped launch 
Project Heal2, which supports students who are interested in pursuing a 
nursing degree in high school through college. Dr. Atkins' 
accomplishments do not stop there, but I would like to take a moment to 
talk about her love for her family.
  Dr. Atkins achieved all these incredible feats while being the 
``happy coordinator'' for her family and her friends. She was a proud 
sister, aunt, and daughter. She emanated joy and positive energy 
everywhere she went.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Bettina ``Tina'' Atkins was an incredible leader 
and a shining light for South Texas. Her accomplishments will certainly 
be remembered for generations to come. I stand here today to thank Dr. 
Atkins for her contributions to the world, and I wish her family peace 
during these difficult times. She will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________