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.