By McClendon                                      H.R. No. 85

      75R4855 WMS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor

 1-2     Ruth A. Burns for her outstanding record of service to her

 1-3     community; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A San Antonio native, she was graduated from Phillis

 1-5     Wheatley High School and pursued her higher education at St.

 1-6     Philips College, Huston-Tillotson College, and the University of

 1-7     Michigan; she also attended Prairie View College, where she earned

 1-8     her bachelor's degree, and Our Lady of the Lake University,

 1-9     attaining her master's degree from that fine institution; and

1-10           WHEREAS, Determined to make a positive difference in her

1-11     community, she became a teacher at Dorie Miller Elementary School,

1-12     where for 32 years she was a source of knowledge and guidance to

1-13     her many students; and

1-14           WHEREAS, Mrs. Burns has also given freely of her time and

1-15     energy by serving as a volunteer for a number of worthy

1-16     organizations, including the United Negro College Fund, the

1-17     National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the

1-18     March of Dimes; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Blessed with extraordinary musical talent, she

1-20     demonstrates her superb singing voice as a member of both the St.

1-21     Philips Community Choir and the Umoja Chorale and is director of

1-22     the Deltones, the singing group of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and

1-23           WHEREAS, In recognition of her notable achievements,

1-24     Mrs. Burns was  chosen by the sorority as "Delta Woman of the Year"

 2-1     in 1989, and she was also honored by the San Antonio Top Ladies of

 2-2     Distinction in 1991; and

 2-3           WHEREAS, A devoutly religious person, she is a longtime

 2-4     member of the Second Baptist Church of San Antonio and has at

 2-5     different times served the congregation as church organist and as a

 2-6     musician for the sanctuary choir, youth choir, and men's chorus;

 2-7     and

 2-8           WHEREAS, Ruth Burns truly exemplifies the qualities of

 2-9     warmth, compassion, and commitment to others, and her many notable

2-10     contributions to the betterment of her community are indeed worthy

2-11     of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it

2-12           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-13     Legislature hereby commend Ruth A. Burns for her many significant

2-14     contributions to her fellow citizens; and, be it further

2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-16     prepared for Mrs. Burns as an expression of high regard by the

2-17     Texas House of Representatives.