By Stiles                                             H.R. No. 1384

         75R17588 JTR-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 4, 1997, the National Ethnic Coalition of

 1-2     Organizations, Inc., will award Geneos Pete Cokinos of Beaumont the

 1-3     Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and this noteworthy distinction is

 1-4     truly deserving of special praise and recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Named after the legendary way station for immigrants

 1-6     entering the United States, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor is

 1-7     given to descendants of immigrants whose accomplishments underscore

 1-8     the richness and vitality of the many cultures that have shaped our

 1-9     nation; and

1-10           WHEREAS, A well-known petroleum engineer and oil producer,

1-11     Mr. Cokinos was one of five children born to Peter Demetrios

1-12     Cokinos and Elizabeth Cokinos, Greek immigrants who entered the

1-13     United States through Ellis Island, and his remarkable achievements

1-14     as a  businessman are eloquent testimony to the possibilities

1-15     inherent in the American dream; a graduate of Texas A&M University,

1-16     he has drilled, owned, and operated numerous wells throughout East

1-17     Texas and Louisiana and has acted as a director for Orange National

1-18     Bank and Beaumont Bank; and

1-19           WHEREAS, Mr. Cokinos has fulfilled the promise that his

1-20     parents saw in this country not only through his professional

1-21     achievements but also through his active participation in his

1-22     community, and in addition to serving as president of St. George's

1-23     Greek Orthodox Church in Port Arthur, he has joined with his

1-24     brothers to create a Texas A&M Presidential Scholarship at his alma

 2-1     mater to honor the memory of Peter and Elizabeth Cokinos; and

 2-2           WHEREAS, Through his great accomplishments in his life and

 2-3     work, Pete Cokinos has paid stirring tribute to the lives of his

 2-4     parents, whose ideals and values shaped his life, as well as to the

 2-5     thousands of immigrants who through the years have come to the

 2-6     United States in search of a better world for themselves and their

 2-7     children, and it is indeed fitting on this occasion to honor him

 2-8     for his many contributions; now, therefore, be it

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

2-10     Legislature hereby congratulate Geneos Pete Cokinos on being

2-11     awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and extend to him sincere

2-12     best wishes for continued success and happiness in the future; and,

2-13     be it further

2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-15     prepared for Mr. Cokinos as an expression of high regard by the

2-16     Texas House of Representatives.