H.R. No. 53 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the developers and business owners of the Just Us Mall, the first 1-3 black-owned and -operated minimall in the Southwest; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Just Us Mall was created by African-American 1-5 merchants who pooled their savings to open a business that would 1-6 serve their neighbors in the Oak Cliff community of Dallas; the 1-7 founders of this fine venture, Etter H. Eubanks, B. C. Foreman, 1-8 Zenas Mitchell, Garnett Powell, Sherry Shaw, Francella Spencer, and 1-9 James and Minnie Barry, have watched their efforts produce a 1-10 successful and growing business; and 1-11 WHEREAS, With a large expansion slated for next year, this 1-12 exceptional enterprise has promoted economic development and 1-13 self-sufficiency within the Oak Cliff neighborhood; in keeping with 1-14 the developers' goal of community service, the business owners of 1-15 the Just Us Mall also plan to employ local high school students, 1-16 giving deserving young people the opportunity to develop the skills 1-17 necessary for today's competitive job market; and 1-18 WHEREAS, These remarkable small business owners have 1-19 displayed courage, tenacity, and dedication in their efforts to 1-20 provide a better future for their families and their community, and 1-21 their many exceptional achievements are indeed worthy of special 1-22 recognition and support; now, therefore, be it 1-23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 1-24 Legislature hereby commend the developers and owners of the Just Us 2-1 Mall in Dallas for their outstanding contributions to their 2-2 community and extend to them warmest best wishes for continued 2-3 success; and, be it further 2-4 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-5 prepared for the developers and owners of the Just Us Mall as an 2-6 expression of high esteem by the Texas House of Representatives.