HR 36

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     House Resolution 36EX
     By: Representative Scott of the 76th
                                  A RESOLUTION
1 Honoring the life, legacy, and service of Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley; and for other
2 purposes.
3 WHEREAS, Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley was born on April 20, 1943, in Moultrie, Georgia,
4 the sixth of nine children, and from an early age, she demonstrated the determination,
5 discipline, and leadership that would define her extraordinary life; and
6 WHEREAS, she began her professional career as a Physical Education Specialist and Sixth
7 Grade Science Teacher near Tampa, Florida, where she courageously stood alongside fellow
8 educators during a statewide teachers' strike advocating for fairness and improved
9 educational conditions, demonstrating her commitment to justice and professional integrity;
10 and
11 WHEREAS, despite losing her position due to her participation in the strike, Mrs. Ensley
12 remained steadfast in her calling as an educator, completing the school year teaching a
13 combined Fourth and Fifth Grade class at a Catholic school; and
14 WHEREAS, before the completion of that assignment, she accepted an opportunity with the
15 Los Angeles Unified School District and, displaying remarkable faith and courage, journeyed
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16 across the country in 1967 with a friend, neither knowing anyone in California nor what
17 awaited them, trusting that God would guide their path; and
18 WHEREAS, through determination, resilience, and faith, she built a distinguished career in
19 education, inspiring countless students and serving as a positive role model throughout her
20 professional life until her retirement as a respected educator; and
21 WHEREAS, Mrs. Ensley is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Chapter, where she
22 has exemplified the ideals of scholarship, sisterhood, and community service; and
23 WHEREAS, her commitment to civic engagement and public service extends beyond the
24 classroom through her work as a political activist, community advocate, and dedicated
25 volunteer, consistently striving to improve the lives of others; and
26 WHEREAS, she has faithfully served her community through the Ladybug organization,
27 numerous community service initiatives, and her leadership at the J. Charley Griswell Senior
28 Center, where she serves as President of the Advisory Board and continues to advocate for
29 the well-being and enrichment of senior citizens; and
30 WHEREAS, on December 14, 1974, she entered a loving marriage that has endured for more
31 than five decades, exemplifying commitment, devotion, and family values; and
32 WHEREAS, Mrs. Ensley is the proud mother of one child and has lovingly helped raise a
33 family that reflects the values of faith, education, perseverance, and service that she has
34 demonstrated throughout her life.
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35 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
36 the members of this body recognize and commend Mrs. Oreatha Walker Ensley for her
37 outstanding contributions to education, community service, civic engagement, and leadership
38 as well as extend the deepest appreciation for her lifelong commitment to uplifting others.
39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
40 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Mrs.
41 Oreatha Walker Ensley.
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