1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 406

        1-2           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in

        1-3     recognizing Blacks in Government (BIG) on the occasion of the

        1-4     Region VI Annual Training Conference, which is being hosted by the

        1-5     Houston Area Chapter on May 30-31, 1997; and

        1-6           WHEREAS, The theme of this year's conference is "Public

        1-7     Servants:  Building Bridges to the Next Millennium," and the

        1-8     workshops during the conference include such topics as goal setting,

        1-9     stress management, communication skills, and workplace violence; and

       1-10           WHEREAS, A national organization of over 10,000 members, BIG

       1-11     consists of government workers at the federal, state, and local

       1-12     levels; the members are African Americans who work together on

       1-13     issues of mutual concern by using their collective strength to

       1-14     confront workplace and community problems; and

       1-15           WHEREAS, BIG was organized in 1975 by African American federal

       1-16     employees in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in

       1-17     Maryland; it is a professional development association, an advocacy

       1-18     organization, an employee support group, and a community service

       1-19     resource; and

       1-20           WHEREAS, The goal of BIG is to promote equity and equal

       1-21     opportunity for all Americans and to speak out nationally on issues

       1-22     that have an impact on government employees; the organization

       1-23     launches letter-writing campaigns on major legislation and provides

        2-1     lawmakers with feedback on public reaction to policies; and

        2-2           WHEREAS, The annual BIG national training conference is the

        2-3     highlight of the organization's year, bringing leaders and experts

        2-4     from around the country to address critical issues and equal

        2-5     employment opportunity; now, therefore, be it

        2-6           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

        2-7     75th Legislature, hereby commend Blacks in Government on its many

        2-8     contributions to people across our country and extend best wishes

        2-9     for a productive and enjoyable Region VI Annual Training Conference

       2-10     in Houston; and, be it further

       2-11           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

       2-12     the Houston Area Chapter as an expression of esteem from the

       2-13     Texas Senate.

       2-14                                                                Gallegos

       2-15                                  ______________________________________

       2-16                                          President of the Senate

       2-17                                       I hereby certify that the above

       2-18                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

       2-19                                  on April 1, 1997.

       2-20                                  ______________________________________

       2-21                                          Secretary of the Senate

       2-22                                  ______________________________________

       2-23                                           Member, Texas Senate