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