By Stiles, Price H.C.R. No. 85 74R5800 SMC-D CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Ben Rogers contributed significantly to the 1-2 citizens of this state as a business leader and philanthropist who 1-3 demonstrated an exemplary concern for the well-being of others; and 1-4 WHEREAS, As a young man, he settled in Beaumont with his 1-5 brothers and together they established Texas State Optical; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A man of many interests and talents, he contributed 1-7 his invaluable expertise to the banking industry and offered wise 1-8 and thoughtful guidance as an organizer and director of numerous 1-9 financial institutions in the Houston area; in recognition of the 1-10 vast contributions he made to the business community in our state, 1-11 he was inducted into the prestigious Texas Business Hall of Fame; 1-12 and 1-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Rogers continued to work for the betterment of 1-14 the Southeast Texas community through his service as president of 1-15 the Beaumont and Sabine Neches chambers of commerce, the Beaumont 1-16 Music Commission, United Appeals, and the Beaumont Optimist Club; 1-17 in addition, this remarkable gentleman was the founder and 1-18 president of the Joe Louis International Sports Foundation and, in 1-19 1976, helped to raise over half a million dollars for the 1-20 organization to the benefit of boys' clubs throughout the country; 1-21 and 1-22 WHEREAS, This dedicated gentleman worked to foster 1-23 productivity and independence for individuals with mental 1-24 retardation, and to that end, on July 30, 1979, he donated a 2-1 building and property to the Beaumont State Center; the building, 2-2 called the Hollywood Workcenter, is used to provide supportive 2-3 employment training to individuals at the center; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Ben Rogers's remarkable contributions to the 2-5 quality of life in Southeast Texas survive his death on December 2-6 14, 1994, and will continue to have a profound effect on the 2-7 members of his community, and it is fitting that the Hollywood 2-8 Workcenter that he helped establish be named in his memory; now, 2-9 therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-11 hereby direct that the present Hollywood Workcenter at the Beaumont 2-12 State Center be named the Ben Rogers Employment Training Facility 2-13 as a testament to Mr. Rogers's devotion and service to his 2-14 community; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 2-16 copy of this resolution to the executive director of the General 2-17 Services Commission.