By Berlanga H.R. No. 974 74R13459 BNL-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Our esteemed colleague, the Honorable Gilbert Serna, 1-2 celebrates his birthday on May 17, 1995, and it gives the members 1-3 of this chamber great pleasure to recognize him on this auspicious 1-4 occasion; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A longtime resident of El Paso, Representative Serna 1-6 is committed to increasing health, housing, educational, and social 1-7 services to the Lower Valley residents of El Paso County; known 1-8 throughout that county for his community service and civic 1-9 leadership, he also enjoyed a multifaceted career before earning 1-10 election to the District 75 seat in the Texas House of 1-11 Representatives; and 1-12 WHEREAS, Representative Serna is a graduate of The University 1-13 of Texas at El Paso, and he has furthered his education by pursuing 1-14 dual master's degrees in human resources development and management 1-15 at Webster University; and 1-16 WHEREAS, His commitment to higher education is also apparent 1-17 in his distinguished record of service to community colleges; a 1-18 trustee of El Paso Community College for nearly 10 years, 1-19 Representative Serna served as vice chairman of that college's 1-20 board and is a consultant for International Educational Linkages 1-21 for Community Colleges; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Deeply concerned about the economic and social 1-23 fabric of his community as well, this dedicated public leader has 1-24 devoted much of his time to the El Paso Lower Valley Development 2-1 Corporation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to revitalize the 2-2 Lower Valley area of El Paso County by creating employment 2-3 opportunities and refurbishing or removing vacant buildings; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In addition, Representative Serna has worked for the 2-5 betterment of the El Paso community as a member of the Kiwanis 2-6 Club, the El Paso Mayor's Round Table on Hispanic Issues, the Youth 2-7 Leadership Conference, and the Mt. Carmel Holy Name Society; he has 2-8 also brought his considerable experience and expertise to 2-9 leadership positions with the boards of Project Bravo and Project 2-10 Amistad; and 2-11 WHEREAS, In recognition of his many selfless contributions, 2-12 Representative Serna has been honored with awards from the Texas 2-13 Youth Commission, Kiwanis International, and the Association of 2-14 Community College Trustees, and his dedicated service on behalf of 2-15 the Democratic Party earned him induction into the party's hall of 2-16 fame in 1991; and 2-17 WHEREAS, Representative Serna has already made numerous 2-18 contributions to the work of this chamber, and it is indeed a 2-19 privilege to join with the citizens of El Paso in honoring him on 2-20 his special day; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-22 Legislature hereby congratulate the Honorable Gilbert Serna on the 2-23 occasion of his birthday and extend to him warmest best wishes for 2-24 many more years of success and happiness; and, be it further 2-25 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-26 prepared for Representative Serna as an expression of high regard 2-27 by the Texas House of Representatives.