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.