By: Ellis S.R. No. 450 1-1 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-2 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-3 recognizing J. Cooper International Academy Tennis Foundation, 1-4 Incorporated, on the occasion of its First Annual Birthday 1-5 Celebration since its establishment three years ago; and 1-6 WHEREAS, J. Cooper International Academy Tennis Foundation, 1-7 Incorporated, is a nonprofit organization that serves the entire 1-8 City of Houston and is dedicated to improving the quality of life 1-9 for Texas youths; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The members of the foundation work with youths 1-11 between the ages of six and 18, helping them to lead more 1-12 productive lives; the organization's motto is "a person before a 1-13 player," indicative of the academy's premise that before one can 1-14 win at any sport, he or she must be cultured, disciplined, 1-15 educated, and emotionally strong; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The organization is named after its founder, 1-17 Jesse Cooper, who has more than 10 years of experience in the 1-18 tennis profession and is a product of the MacGregor Park Tennis 1-19 Center; he received formal instruction from his friend 1-20 John Wilkerson and represented Lutheran South High School in the 1-21 state championships for singles and doubles; and 1-22 WHEREAS, J. Cooper International Academy Tennis Foundation 1-23 helps young people to develop through various school workshops, 2-1 tennis lessons, scholarship programs, and free tennis clinics; its 2-2 programs include the Young International Tennis Camp, Team Player 2-3 Program, and W.I.T.H. Program; and 2-4 WHEREAS, Over the past two years, the academy has sent over 2-5 25 youths to Richmond, Virginia, to participate in The American 2-6 Tennis Association National Championships; and 2-7 WHEREAS, J. Cooper International Academy Tennis Foundation, 2-8 Incorporated, is a source of strength for the Houston community 2-9 and is admired by other youth organizations and by people in the 2-10 world of tennis for the many valuable services it provides; now, 2-11 therefore, be it 2-12 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-13 74th Legislature, hereby commend J. Cooper International Academy 2-14 Tennis Foundation, Incorporated, for its exemplary high standards 2-15 and for the positive influence it has on the lives of the youths 2-16 of Texas; and, be it further 2-17 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-18 this organization as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 2-19 ______________________________________ 2-20 President of the Senate 2-21 I hereby certify that the above 2-22 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-23 on March 15, 1995. 2-24 ______________________________________ 2-25 Secretary of the Senate 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 Member, Texas Senate