R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Both as a civic leader and as a professional, Hattie

 1-2     Briscoe has greatly contributed to the betterment of the San

 1-3     Antonio community, and she is indeed worthy of special praise and

 1-4     recognition at this time; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, she wed William

 1-6     M. Briscoe in 1940, and the couple shared a happy and fulfilling

 1-7     marriage for 47 years, until Mr. Briscoe's passing; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, Mrs. Briscoe worked to put herself through Wiley

 1-9     College, graduating in 1937, and after pursuing careers as a public

1-10     school teacher and a cosmetology instructor, she returned to the

1-11     classroom to earn a master's degree from Prairie View A&M

1-12     University in 1951; and

1-13           WHEREAS, The following year, she entered St. Mary's

1-14     University School of Law and earned further distinction when she

1-15     became the institution's first African-American graduate in 1956;

1-16     since that time, she has enjoyed a lengthy and successful career in

1-17     private practice and for 27 years, she was the only black female

1-18     attorney in Bexar County; and

1-19           WHEREAS, An acknowledged leader in her chosen field,

1-20     Mrs. Briscoe has shared her extensive knowledge and experience with

1-21     others as an esteemed member of several professional organizations,

1-22     including the National Association of Defense Lawyers in Criminal

1-23     Cases, the Texas Criminal Bar Association, the San Antonio Black

1-24     Lawyers Association, and the local, state, and national chapters of

 2-1     the Bar Association; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, Despite the rigorous demands of her profession, she

 2-3     has consistently made time in her busy schedule to serve her

 2-4     community, and the many organizations that have welcomed her

 2-5     involvement include the National Association for the Advancement of

 2-6     Colored People, the Mental Health Association of Bexar County,

 2-7     Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Order of the Eastern Star, and

 2-8     Mount Zion First Baptist Church; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Mrs. Briscoe has received numerous prestigious

2-10     accolades throughout the years and is even profiled in an exhibit

2-11     at the Institute of Texan Cultures; St. Mary's University has

2-12     honored her as a Distinguished Alumna, and it created a scholarship

2-13     fund in her name at its School of Law in 1993; and

2-14           WHEREAS, Hattie Briscoe has enhanced the quality of life in

2-15     the San Antonio community in numerous ways, and her exceptional

2-16     commitment is a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to

2-17     know her; now, therefore, be it

2-18           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-19     Legislature hereby honor Hattie Briscoe for her exemplary civic and

2-20     professional involvement and extend to her warmest best wishes for

2-21     continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors; and,

2-22     be it further

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

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

2-25     Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                   McClendon

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 87 was adopted by the House on

         February 5, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House