By: Counts H.R. No. 126 73R3348 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 Johnnie Lou Avery who has immeasurably enriched the lives of those 1-3 around her by her constant striving to improve conditions for her 1-4 fellow citizens; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Born in Merkel, Texas, Mrs. Avery's abiding concern 1-6 for education led her to pursue a career as a college administrator 1-7 until 1979, when this industrious woman opened a highly successful 1-8 consulting company, Avery and Associates; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Her numerous entrepreneurial successes earned 1-10 Mrs. Avery the community Small Business Person of the Year award, 1-11 and she also was designated by the Small Business Administration as 1-12 regional Women's Advocate of the Year for her contributions in 1-13 assisting other businesswomen; moreover, she received a 1-14 well-deserved nomination to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and was 1-15 named Texan of the Year by the Texas Association of Extension Home 1-16 Economists; and 1-17 WHEREAS, This exceptional individual was selected by Governor 1-18 Mark White to supply an influential voice on the commission to 1-19 bring the superconducting super collider to Texas; in addition, 1-20 Governor Ann Richards appointed her to the Texas Board of Licensure 1-21 for Nursing Home Administrators, where she is now chair, and this 1-22 exemplary Texan has also worked tirelessly as a member of the Texas 1-23 Department on Aging Advisory Board and the Texas Summit on 1-24 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention; and 2-1 WHEREAS, A myriad of other community services includes 2-2 membership on the boards of The University of Texas-Permian Basin, 2-3 Samaritan Counseling Center, State Salvation Army, Area Aging 2-4 Agency, Permian Women's Center, Small Business Administration, 2-5 Planned Parenthood, MCC state fund-raising team, and the Permian 2-6 Center for Energy and Economic Diversification; and 2-7 WHEREAS, This multifaceted woman also pursues a career as a 2-8 free-lance writer, having penned weekly newspaper columns and 2-9 magazine articles and edited textbooks, in addition to hosting a 2-10 television talk show; and 2-11 WHEREAS, Although her devoted husband passed away in 1990, 2-12 Mrs. Avery has maintained her love of life and abiding religious 2-13 faith, and she takes justifiable pride in her daughter Joni 2-14 Avery-Withrow; and 2-15 WHEREAS, This remarkable woman continues to serve her 2-16 community in numerous and significant ways, and her lifetime of 2-17 accomplishment and service to family, friends, and fellow Texans is 2-18 indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, 2-19 be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-21 Legislature hereby commend Johnnie Lou Avery for her significant 2-22 contributions to the betterment of her community and state and 2-23 extend to her best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, 2-24 be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Mrs. Avery as an expression of high regard by the 2-27 Texas House of Representatives.