H.R. No. 608 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Since 1948, the members of Beta Sigma Phi have 1-2 recognized women for their accomplishments and their contributions 1-3 to the community, and Helen Mitchell was accorded a great honor 1-4 when they named her First Lady of Waxahachie on March 26, 1995; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Oklahoma, Mrs. Mitchell is an honors 1-6 graduate of Texas Christian University, where she served as vice 1-7 president of the student body and as president of Delta Delta Delta 1-8 sorority; after college, she distinguished herself as a manager 1-9 with Southwestern Bell Telephone for 11 years before deciding to 1-10 commit herself full-time to her family and community; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The proud mother of two children, Megan and Mitch, 1-12 she has devoted much of her time to educational causes and has 1-13 served the parent-teacher organizations at both Wilemon and 1-14 Shackleford elementary schools; she is particularly concerned with 1-15 the needs of special education students, and in addition to serving 1-16 on the school district's Special Education Advisory Board, she 1-17 co-founded Parents of Special Education Children and has helped to 1-18 coordinate volunteer efforts for the Special Olympics; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Through her dedicated work with the Waxahachie 1-20 Junior Service League, money was raised to construct a 1-21 handicapped-accessible playground at Getzendaner Park, and she 1-22 continues to oversee construction and maintenance of the site as a 1-23 member of the Playground Committee; she has also worked to the 1-24 benefit of the Dallas Easter Seals Society for Children and the 2-1 Ellis County Handicapped Access Board, which recently added a 2-2 wheelchair ramp to improve access to the county's famed courthouse; 2-3 and 2-4 WHEREAS, Despite her demanding schedule as a mother and a 2-5 volunteer, this tireless individual still finds time to nurture her 2-6 own hobbies and interests as a member of the Friday Book Club, the 2-7 Shakespeare Club, the Waxahachie Doll Club, and the Garden Club; 2-8 she further works to maintain her many close friendships through 2-9 her leadership of the Ellis County Panhellenic Organization, the 2-10 City Federation of Women's Clubs Board, and the Delta Delta Delta 2-11 Alumna Chapter; and 2-12 WHEREAS, Throughout her many endeavors, Mrs. Mitchell has 2-13 enjoyed the love and support of her husband of 19 years, Pleasant 2-14 Mitchell; Mr. Mitchell has had the distinct honor of seeing two 2-15 members of his family receive the prestigious First Lady award, as 2-16 his mother, Omajean Mitchell, received the honor several years ago; 2-17 and 2-18 WHEREAS, In her many roles as a wife, mother, friend, and 2-19 civic leader, Helen Mitchell has excelled with grace, charm, and 2-20 dignity, and the members of this chamber take great pride in 2-21 recognizing her on the occasion of her most recent honor; now, 2-22 therefore, be it 2-23 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-24 Legislature hereby honor Helen Mitchell for her outstanding record 2-25 of community service and congratulate her on being named Beta Sigma 2-26 Phi's First Lady of Waxahachie for 1995; and, be it further 2-27 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-1 prepared for Mrs. Mitchell as an expression of high regard by the 3-2 Texas House of Representatives.