By:  Kubiak                                            H.R. No. 767
       73R11477 BNL-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Many individuals are curious about other countries
    1-2  and other cultures, but only a handful of young people, including
    1-3  foreign exchange student Lidia Rolek, possess the courage and
    1-4  spirit of adventure to leave their homes behind and live in another
    1-5  country for an extended period of time; and
    1-6        WHEREAS, The daughter of Andrzej and Anna Rolek, Miss Rolek
    1-7  has a sister, Agniezska, and a brother, Michael, all of whom are
    1-8  anxiously awaiting Lidia's return to her home in Poland; she
    1-9  arrived in the United States in August 1992, and since that time
   1-10  she has lived with Joe and Ruth Garza and their family in Rockdale;
   1-11  and
   1-12        WHEREAS, While attending school here, this bright and
   1-13  talented student has improved her English proficiency and has
   1-14  learned much about American government and culture; she has
   1-15  participated in numerous extracurricular activities, including
   1-16  student council, basketball,  tennis, and a scholarship pageant;
   1-17  and
   1-18        WHEREAS, This exchange program also has allowed her the
   1-19  opportunity to travel throughout Texas and the United States, and
   1-20  her charming personality has earned her friends in many of these
   1-21  locations; in addition to seeing the sights of Houston, Dallas, San
   1-22  Antonio, and Austin, she has toured Washington D.C., visited New
   1-23  York and Niagara Falls, and has gone skiing in New Mexico, thus
   1-24  experiencing more of the American landscape during her short stay
    2-1  than many United States residents do in their lifetimes; and
    2-2        WHEREAS, Miss Rolek has observed that in Texas automobiles
    2-3  and sports play a greater role in teenagers' lives than they do in
    2-4  her native Poland, and she was surprised to learn that many of her
    2-5  American counterparts work part-time while they are still in
    2-6  school; more important, she has observed numerous traits and values
    2-7  that all young people share, and her return to Poland will be met
    2-8  with great sadness among her many new friends in Texas; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, By serving as an exchange student, this outstanding
   2-10  young lady has helped to open a line of communication between two
   2-11  nations by promoting greater cultural exchange and understanding;
   2-12  in doing so, she has reminded us that people around the world hold
   2-13  more commonalities than differences, and for this she is deserving
   2-14  of highest praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it
   2-15        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
   2-16  Legislature hereby extend to Lidia Rolek a warm welcome on her
   2-17  visit to the Capitol and confer on her the distinguished title of
   2-18  Honorary Texan, accompanied by best wishes for many more years of
   2-19  continued success and happiness; and, be it further
   2-20        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-21  prepared for Miss Rolek as an expression of high regard by the
   2-22  Texas House of Representatives.