R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, For many years, the people of Fort Worth have

 1-2     benefited from the vision and leadership of Elsie Bradford, and her

 1-3     recent receipt of the Tennis Shoe Award presented by the League of

 1-4     Women Voters of Tarrant County provides a most fitting occasion to

 1-5     honor her for her outstanding contributions; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Mrs. Bradford's commitment to the children of her

 1-7     community began more than 18 years ago, when she and her husband,

 1-8     Johnny Bradford, opened both their hearts and their home to two

 1-9     young brothers; since that time, the couple have cared for 107

1-10     young people as foster parents; and

1-11           WHEREAS, The proud birth parents of two children, the

1-12     Bradfords also have adopted three children and are eagerly pursuing

1-13     the addition of two more to their close-knit family; and

1-14           WHEREAS, A woman of immense strength and compassion,

1-15     Mrs. Bradford has offered unconditional love and support to all her

1-16     children, undaunted by cultural differences, disabilities, or

1-17     troubled backgrounds; her commitment to filling each child's needs

1-18     has prompted her to take such actions as founding a Cinco de Mayo

1-19     celebration in the community and expanding her culinary skills to

1-20     include international dishes to help the children learn about their

1-21     cultural heritage; and

1-22           WHEREAS, Fondly known throughout her neighborhood as Big

1-23     Mama, she has volunteered to be a baseball coach at the community

1-24     center, started a scout troop, and taken on other projects for the

 2-1     benefit of children; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, Despite the many demands on her time, she further

 2-3     contributes to the Fort Worth community through her remarkable

 2-4     civic service; she helped to found a senior citizens program, a

 2-5     graffiti patrol, and a community newspaper, and she continues to

 2-6     give generously of her time and talents to work with the Sickle

 2-7     Cell Anemia Association and the Tarrant County Youth Collaboration

 2-8     Diversity Committee; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Elsie Bradford is a rare individual who gives to her

2-10     community much more than she asks of it, and her exceptional

2-11     involvement is a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to

2-12     know her; now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-14     Legislature hereby honor Elsie Bradford and extend to her heartfelt

2-15     congratulations on her receipt of the League of Women Voters of

2-16     Tarrant County's Tennis Shoe Award; and, be it further

2-17           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-18     prepared for Mrs. Bradford as an expression of high regard by the

2-19     Texas House of Representatives.

                                                            Lewis of Tarrant

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 377 was adopted by the House on April

         11, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House