By:  Martin                                           H.C.R. No. 38
       73R3590 KMP-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The 73rd Texas Legislature is proud to honor La
    1-2  Marque resident Esther Rice for her exceptional contributions to
    1-3  her community; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Born in Jasper on January 12, 1913, this
    1-5  distinguished Texan moved to La Marque on February 7, 1959,
    1-6  instantly falling in love with this thriving coastal community that
    1-7  has been her home for more than three decades; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Dynamic and enthusiastic, Mrs. Rice is an
    1-9  inspiration to all Texans, young and old, for her unwavering
   1-10  commitment to improving the lives of those around her; at the age
   1-11  of 80, not only does Mrs. Rice write a weekly column in the La
   1-12  Marque Times and actively involve herself in local politics but she
   1-13  still serves as a board member of the La Marque First United
   1-14  Methodist Church and is an admiral in the Texas Navy; and
   1-15        WHEREAS, This greatly admired civic leader, who took a
   1-16  leading role in the creation of the La Marque Chamber of Commerce,
   1-17  is known to many as the "First Lady of La Marque" and has been
   1-18  named the "Outstanding Woman of La Marque" three times; the
   1-19  Commissioners Court of Galveston County has even declared a day in
   1-20  Mrs. Rice's honor in a fitting salute to her outstanding record of
   1-21  community service; and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Although she has never had children of her own,
   1-23  Mrs. Rice is loved and respected by hundreds of children throughout
   1-24  La Marque whose lives have been immeasurably brightened by her
    2-1  warmth, kindness, and generosity; she has provided school clothes
    2-2  and Christmas gifts for thousands of needy children through the La
    2-3  Marque Youth Aid Program, an organization she founded with her late
    2-4  husband, C. V. Rice, Sr.; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Mrs. Rice enlists the support of people throughout
    2-6  her town, county, and state to secure a better future for her
    2-7  community's youngest citizens; each August she hosts a popular
    2-8  fund-raising dinner and auction, featuring celebrity waiters, which
    2-9  allows her to purchase toys, food, clothing, and other Christmas
   2-10  gifts; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, With this extraordinary Texan's help, more than 515
   2-12  children in La Marque received Christmas presents from Santa this
   2-13  past Christmas alone; she also has created a successful program to
   2-14  provide housebound senior citizens with yuletide gifts such as
   2-15  socks, slippers, powder, lap robes, candy, and fruit; and
   2-16        WHEREAS, Esther Rice is known to all as a sincere and
   2-17  compassionate friend, and her innumerable accomplishments are
   2-18  indeed worthy of our highest praise and recognition; now,
   2-19  therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-21  hereby commend Esther Rice on the many significant contributions
   2-22  she has made to the citizens of Galveston County; and, be it
   2-23  further
   2-24        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-25  prepared for Mrs. Rice as an expression of highest regard by the
   2-26  Legislature of the State of Texas.