By Kuempel                                             H.R. No. 912

         75R15054 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, Ruth Fertel has demonstrated exemplary allegiance to

 1-2     the State of Texas through her outstanding career as owner of the

 1-3     Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurant company; and

 1-4           WHEREAS, A native of New Orleans, Ms. Fertel grew up on the

 1-5     periphery of our great state, yet she has demonstrated many of the

 1-6     qualities typically associated with Texans; and

 1-7           WHEREAS, With a combination of instinct and savvy, this

 1-8     remarkable woman created what is now the nation's largest upscale

 1-9     restaurant chain; today, the "Ruth's Chris" name is recognizable

1-10     around the world as a symbol of great steaks and quality dining

1-11     experience; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Her dream began in 1965, when she quit her job as a

1-13     lab technician at Tulane University and bought Chris Steak House;

1-14     though she had no prior experience in the restaurant business, this

1-15     Louisiana State University graduate threw herself into this

1-16     entrepreneurial venture with great enthusiasm and vigor and soon

1-17     reaped the benefits of her hard work and dedication; and

1-18           WHEREAS, In 1993, Ms. Fertel was honored by the National

1-19     Foundation for Women Business Owners as a "Top 50" entrepreneur;

1-20     more recently, she received the 1995 Horatio Alger Award and was

1-21     presented with the 1995 Beef Backers Award by the Beef Industry

1-22     Council; and

1-23           WHEREAS, Although her commitment to excellence would seem to

1-24     indicate a proper Texas upbringing, the fact remains that she was

 2-1     raised a Cajun; for this reason, the members of this chamber seek

 2-2     to rectify the grievous circumstance that has caused her to pass

 2-3     the majority of her life without the benefits of Texas citizenship;

 2-4     and

 2-5           WHEREAS, Ruth Fertel has maintained the highest standards of

 2-6     professionalism during her dynamic career as a restaurateur, and

 2-7     the Texas House of Representatives is proud to bestow on her this

 2-8     unique honor at this time; now, therefore, be it

 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-10     Legislature hereby declare Ruth Fertel to be an Honorary Texan with

2-11     all the privileges and perquisites accorded those individuals

2-12     actually born on our state's hallowed soil; and, be it further

2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-14     prepared for Ms. Fertel as formal proof of her new status.