By McClendon                                      H.R. No. 84

      75R4851 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Joyce Sowells has worked for many years in behalf of

 1-2     San Antonio's black community, and her dedication and commitment

 1-3     are indeed worthy of special legislative recognition; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A San Antonio native, Mrs. Sowells was graduated

 1-5     from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1942 and went on to continue

 1-6     her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,

 1-7     where she earned a bachelor of science degree in 1946; she later

 1-8     received her master's degree in health and physical education from

 1-9     Our Lady of the Lake University and pursued graduate studies for

1-10     her personal edification at several of Texas' most prestigious

1-11     universities; and

1-12           WHEREAS, This distinguished Texan's career as an educator and

1-13     administrator for the San Antonio Independent School District has

1-14     established her as a genuine hero among her friends and neighbors,

1-15     and her retirement in 1987 elicited a wave of recognition from the

1-16     faculty, staff, and parents of both Cameron and Benjamin Franklin

1-17     elementary schools, as well as a proclamation from the mayor; and

1-18           WHEREAS, She has served as president, vice president,

1-19     secretary, and journalist for the Alamo City Teachers Association,

1-20     and as president of the National Councils of Negro Women; her

1-21     volunteer work includes membership on the board of the Beautify San

1-22     Antonio Association and work with the Kenwood Child Development

1-23     Center; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Mrs. Sowells' list of awards and accolades is long

 2-1     and varied, and she has been honored by St. Philip's Episcopal

 2-2     Church, the YWCA, the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce, and many

 2-3     other professional and fraternal organizations; in 1987, this

 2-4     esteemed woman was inducted into the San Antonio Women's Hall of

 2-5     Fame, and she is a lifetime member of the Texas Congress of Parents

 2-6     and Teachers; and

 2-7           WHEREAS, This strong-willed woman has done much to benefit

 2-8     the Girl Scouts of America and is largely responsible for the

 2-9     establishment of the Daisy Girl Scout program at Cameron Elementary

2-10     School; she assisted in the development of five new Girl Scout

2-11     badges, taking special interest in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,

2-12     badge, which is highly prized among area scouts; and

2-13           WHEREAS, Mrs. Sowells has been happily married to J. Guy

2-14     Sowells, Jr., for more than 50 years, and their union is a constant

2-15     source of pride to the couple's family and many friends; Joyce

2-16     Sowells is truly a shining star in her community, and her light

2-17     continues to guide those who rely on her generosity, wisdom, and

2-18     compassion; now, therefore, be it

2-19           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-20     Legislature hereby honor Joyce Sowells for her outstanding service

2-21     to her community and extend to her sincere best wishes for

2-22     continued success and happiness in the future; and, be it further

2-23           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-24     prepared for Mrs. Sowells as an expression of high regard by the

2-25     Texas House of Representatives.