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.