By:  Stiles                                            H.R. No. 156
       73R3323 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Alletta R. Thompson has been selected to receive the
    1-2  Quota Club of Port Arthur's 1992 Woman of the Year Award for her
    1-3  exemplary contributions to her community, her church, and her
    1-4  family; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native of Oklahoma, Mrs. Thompson earned a
    1-6  bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Central State
    1-7  College of Oklahoma; in 1949, she and her husband Bruce moved to
    1-8  Houston, where Mrs. Thompson taught art in Houston public schools
    1-9  for seven years; and
   1-10        WHEREAS, The couple moved to Groves in 1962 and purchased a
   1-11  grocery store, renaming it "Bruce's"; their business philosophy
   1-12  based on value and service to customers proved popular in that
   1-13  community, and with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson's tireless work, that
   1-14  store became the cornerstone of the chain of Market Basket stores
   1-15  throughout Texas and Louisiana; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, In those early days, Mrs. Thompson balanced working
   1-17  in the store with caring for her two children, Caira and Skylar; as
   1-18  the chain evolved, she served as consumer relations advisor and
   1-19  corporate secretary for Market Basket and has played an
   1-20  instrumental role in the chain's growth; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, This distinguished woman also owned and operated her
   1-22  own business, The Gourmet House gift shop, from 1974 to 1983, and
   1-23  despite her tremendous work schedule, she never lost sight of what
   1-24  was most important to her; she has remained a devoted wife and
    2-1  mother, and proud grandmother of seven, while reaching out to her
    2-2  neighbors in a constant effort to better her community; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, A charter member of the newly formed Pride League of
    2-4  Port Neches, Mrs. Thompson also is a devout member of First United
    2-5  Methodist Church; this esteemed woman belongs to the church's
    2-6  Promises Circle and recently chaired the church's 1992 Fundraising
    2-7  Bazaar; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, Since 1987, Mrs. Thompson has served on the board of
    2-9  directors of the Samaritan Counseling Center, and in that time this
   2-10  has become one of her favorite community service projects; she
   2-11  works tirelessly on all of the center's fund-raising events,
   2-12  including the annual auction and golf tournament; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, This involvement represents only a small portion of
   2-14  Mrs. Thompson's extensive community service, however; because she
   2-15  is concerned only with helping those in need and not with garnering
   2-16  awards or praise, Mrs. Thompson often insists on anonymity while
   2-17  performing her kind works, and few people are privy to the extent
   2-18  of her philanthropy; and
   2-19        WHEREAS, In serving her family, her church, and her
   2-20  community, this extraordinary woman has given of her compassion and
   2-21  mercy while asking nothing in return; she has provided those around
   2-22  her with a shining model of Christian faith and charity, and serves
   2-23  as an inspiration to all in her community; now, therefore, be it
   2-24        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-25  Legislature hereby commend Alletta R. Thompson for her outstanding
   2-26  charitable efforts and unwavering commitment to community service
   2-27  and extend to her warmest congratulations on the well-deserved
    3-1  honor she received in being named 1992 Woman of the Year by the
    3-2  Quota Club of Port Arthur; and, be it further
    3-3        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
    3-4  prepared for Mrs. Thompson as an expression of high regard by the
    3-5  Texas House of Representatives.