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.