1-1                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 640

        1-2           WHEREAS, The African Cultural Exchange, Incorporated,

        1-3     is hosting the fourth annual Africa Days on the campus of the

        1-4     University of Houston, May 2 through May 4, 1997, to salute

        1-5     the fathers of Pan-Africanism; and

        1-6           WHEREAS, A nonprofit organization, the African Cultural

        1-7     Exchange, Incorporated, fosters better understanding and

        1-8     communication between the United States and Africa through

        1-9     exchange of cultural and arts educational programs; the group

       1-10     works with various Houston schools and organizations by

       1-11     sponsoring programs and activities for all ages; and

       1-12           WHEREAS, Highlights of the three-day event include a

       1-13     banquet on May 2 with the keynote address by Professor Ali Mazrui;

       1-14     professional networking and business symposiums, art exhibits,

       1-15     and performances by local artists on May 3; and a soccer/netball

       1-16     tournament with teams from around the world on May 4; and

       1-17           WHEREAS, A native of Kenya, Ali A. Mazrui is an

       1-18     Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and Director of

       1-19     the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University

       1-20     in New York; he is also the Albert Luthuli Professor-at-Large in

       1-21     the Humanities and Development Studies at the University of

       1-22     Nigeria and a Senior Scholar at Cornell University; the author

       1-23     of over 20 books, Professor Mazrui has lectured on five continents

        2-1     and has been involved in several United Nations projects; and

        2-2           WHEREAS, Africa Days '97 is a colorful, fun-filled occasion

        2-3     that focuses on business and the arts while offering opportunities

        2-4     for cultural awareness and entrepreneurial exchange; now,

        2-5     therefore, be it

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

        2-7     75th Legislature, hereby recognize Africa Days '97, May 2 through

        2-8     May 4, and extend best wishes for a most enjoyable and rewarding

        2-9     celebration; and, be it further

       2-10           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for

       2-11     the African Cultural Exchange, Incorporated, as a memento of this

       2-12     notable event.

       2-13                                                                   Ellis

       2-14                                  ______________________________________

       2-15                                          President of the Senate

       2-16                                       I hereby certify that the above

       2-17                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate

       2-18                                  on May 2, 1997.

       2-19                                  ______________________________________

       2-20                                          Secretary of the Senate

       2-21                                  ______________________________________

       2-22                                           Member, Texas Senate