H.R. No. 628
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, Bonnie Smith, the esteemed chair of the Newton
    1-2  County Historical Commission, has been named the recipient of the
    1-3  John Ben Shepperd Leadership Award by the Texas Historical
    1-4  Commission, and this special recognition is indeed well deserved;
    1-5  and
    1-6        WHEREAS, This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding
    1-7  leadership in carrying out an aggressive and well-balanced
    1-8  preservation program that is consistent with state historic
    1-9  preservation programs and policies, and Ms. Smith has not only met
   1-10  this standard but has set a noteworthy example to which others can
   1-11  aspire through her extensive achievements; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, Ms. Smith brought to her position a wealth of
   1-13  valuable experience garnered over the course of many years of
   1-14  involvement in the community; a member of the local commission
   1-15  since 1986, she served as coordinator of volunteer services for
   1-16  Baptist hospitals for five years and as career coordinator for nine
   1-17  years in the San Antonio area; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, Since becoming chair of the Newton County Historical
   1-19  Commission on July 15, 1991, Ms. Smith has helped many Texans
   1-20  recapture the past in countless ways; in 1994 alone, this dedicated
   1-21  historian donated more than 1,000 hours of her own time to work in
   1-22  the local history center and she also provided guidance and support
   1-23  to the Deep East Texas Archaeology Society, served as an important
   1-24  educational resource for local schools and civic groups, held four
    2-1  historical marker dedication ceremonies, kept an exhibit in the
    2-2  county courthouse interesting and informative by updating it
    2-3  regularly, and organized and engaged in numerous other activities
    2-4  designed to promote the history of the area; and
    2-5        WHEREAS, Bonnie Smith has done an outstanding job of
    2-6  protecting and preserving Newton County's rich archaeological,
    2-7  historical, and cultural heritage and it gives the members of this
    2-8  chamber great pleasure to join with the Texas Historical Commission
    2-9  in honoring her for her significant achievements in this regard;
   2-10  now, therefore, be it
   2-11        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-12  Legislature hereby congratulate Bonnie Smith on her receipt of the
   2-13  John Ben Shepperd Leadership Award and honor her for the
   2-14  exceptional contributions she has made to the Newton County
   2-15  Historical Commission as its chair; and, be it further
   2-16        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-17  prepared for Ms. Smith as an expression of high regard by the Texas
   2-18  House of Representatives.