By Carter H.R. No. 316 75R8508 JHS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Honorable Gerald L. Coates, Grand Exalted Ruler 1-2 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his wife, Lea, 1-3 will visit the Lone Star State on March 13-16, 1997, and the Texas 1-4 House of Representatives is proud to welcome this fine couple; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Since the establishment of the Benevolent and 1-6 Protective Order of Elks in February 1868, the members of this 1-7 distinguished group have provided aid and assistance to millions 1-8 of Americans; from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the 1-9 devastating Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the Elks organization 1-10 has rendered much-needed relief in a variety of dire circumstances; 1-11 and 1-12 WHEREAS, A 1951 graduate of Wake Forest University, 1-13 Mr. Coates joined Elks Lodge No. 602 in Greensboro, North Carolina, 1-14 in June 1970, and he advanced through the chairs of his lodge and 1-15 through the national organization to finally be elected to lead all 1-16 Elks in America this year as their Grand Exalted Ruler; and 1-17 WHEREAS, During their tour of Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Coates will 1-18 attend the Texas Elks State Association's officer training 1-19 conference in Seguin and visit the Texas Elks Children's Services 1-20 diagnostic center, the centerpiece of the organization's many 1-21 humanitarian efforts in Texas; the center was created in response 1-22 to the polio epidemic of the mid-1900s and today serves as one of 1-23 the only facilities in Texas that specializes in multidisability 1-24 diagnosis; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is 2-2 committed to setting a shining example of patriotism for all 2-3 Americans and to supporting the many disabled veterans of our 2-4 country's foreign wars; last year alone, the members of this 2-5 magnanimous organization contributed 5.6 million hours of volunteer 2-6 service to countless individuals and donated $143 million to a 2-7 variety of charitable causes; and 2-8 WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Gerald L. Coates has 2-9 dedicated himself to providing thoughtful and determined leadership 2-10 to the 1.3 million members of the Benevolent and Protective Order 2-11 of Elks, and his tremendous efforts in behalf of his fellow Elks 2-12 are indeed deserving of special legislative recognition; now, 2-13 therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby welcome the Honorable Gerald L. Coates and his 2-16 wife, Lea, to Texas and commend this esteemed man for his many good 2-17 works as Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order 2-18 of Elks; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for Mr. Coates as an expression of high regard by the 2-21 Texas House of Representatives.