[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING AND RECOGNIZING MRS. BONNIE L. GENTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to pay tribute to Bonnie L. 
Gentry, a dedicated educator and sister of Buck Crowley, my long-time 
friend and assistant in the district. Bonnie passed away on February 2, 
2002, and in March of this year, the Mesquite Independent School 
District recognized her by naming its 30th elementary campus in her 
honor.
  Born in Fate, TX, to R.L. and Mattie Crowell, Bonnie received her 
teaching certificate at the age of 14. For the next 54 years, she 
served as both teacher and principal for the Rockwall and Mesquite 
Independent School Districts. In 1959, she became Mesquite's first 
female principal when she was appointed to the position at Ben F. 
Tisinger Elementary. She held the position until her retirement in 
1974.
  In addition to her teaching career, Bonnie also served in such 
organizations as the Texas Retired Teachers Association, the Order of 
the Eastern Star, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Delta 
Kappa Gamma.
  She is survived by her brothers Herman Crowell, R.S. ``Bob'' Crowell, 
and M.L. ``Buck'' Crowell; sisters Christine Davison and Leona Strain; 
and numerous nieces and nephews.
  Bonnie will long be remembered as a devoted and caring educator who 
touched the lives of many. On behalf of her family, friends, students, 
and the Mesquite Independent School District, I would like to take this 
opportunity in the House of Representatives to pay my last respects to 
Mrs. Bonnie L. Gentry.

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