By Davis                                               H.R. No. 642

         75R11612 SAJ-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, For many years, the Dallas community has benefitted

 1-2     from the vision and leadership of Emma S. Rodgers, and her receipt

 1-3     of an award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus provides a most

 1-4     fitting opportunity to honor her for her outstanding service; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Ms. Rodgers was graduated from Texas Southern

 1-6     University before receiving a master's degree from The University

 1-7     of Texas at Arlington; and

 1-8           WHEREAS, In 1977, she cofounded Black Images, a mail-order

 1-9     business specializing in books from the African and African

1-10     diaspora perspective; nine years later, she began full-time

1-11     operation of the company as a bookstore, and it currently offers a

1-12     variety of innovative services, including children's storytelling,

1-13     book discussions, rites of passage consultation, and literature

1-14     consultations for parents and teachers; and

1-15           WHEREAS, Ms. Rodgers travelled to Ghana and Zimbabwe in 1996

1-16     as a member of the United States Information Agency's Corridors of

1-17     Culture project, and through her participation in this important

1-18     initiative, she shared her extensive knowledge of writing,

1-19     publishing, and book selling with many others; and

1-20           WHEREAS, In addition to her career as an outstanding

1-21     businesswoman, Ms. Rodgers has a noteworthy background as a social

1-22     worker and teacher, and she has continued to work for the

1-23     betterment of the Dallas community in leadership capacities with

1-24     several local organizations; and

 2-1           WHEREAS, Her accomplishments have brought her well-deserved

 2-2     acclaim, for she has been honored with a number of prestigious

 2-3     accolades, including the Image Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha

 2-4     Sorority, Inc., the Mabel Meshach White Business Award from the

 2-5     South Dallas Business and Professional Women's Club, and

 2-6     Blackboard's Bestseller of the Year Award, and she has also been

 2-7     feted by many organizations throughout the area for her outstanding

 2-8     business skills; and

 2-9           WHEREAS, Emma Rodgers has enhanced the quality of life in the

2-10     Dallas community in countless ways, and her exceptional commitment

2-11     is a source of inspiration to all who are privileged to know her;

2-12     now, therefore, be it

2-13           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-14     hereby honor Emma S. Rodgers for her exemplary professional and

2-15     civic involvement and extend to her heartfelt congratulations on

2-16     her  receipt of an award from the Texas Legislative Black Caucus;

2-17     and, be it further

2-18           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-19     prepared for Ms. Rodgers as an expression of high regard by the

2-20     Texas House of Representatives.