R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The passing of educator and civil rights activist
 1-2     Velma Marjorie Dreyfus Jeter on January 23, 1998, at the age of 94,
 1-3     brought a profound loss to the family and friends of this beloved
 1-4     woman and to the many individuals who were privileged to know her;
 1-5     and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Born in New Iberia, Louisiana, on July 15, 1903,
 1-7     Mrs. Jeter moved to Port Arthur at age 12; in 1920, she was
 1-8     graduated as valedictorian from Lincoln High School; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, A lifelong advocate of education, this remarkable
1-10     woman led by example, earning bachelor's and master's degrees from
1-11     Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University before
1-12     doing post-graduate work at the University of California at
1-13     Berkeley in 1942; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Mrs. Jeter affected the lives of countless young
1-15     people during her tenure as a teacher in the public school systems
1-16     of Port Arthur and Orange, and her influence can still be felt in
1-17     these communities; she instilled her students with pride and
1-18     determination, qualities that she possessed in abundance and which
1-19     helped to define this generous woman; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Perhaps best known for her work during the civil
1-21     rights movement, Mrs. Jeter was a founding member of the Orange
1-22     chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
1-23     People and served as president of that organization for nearly two
1-24     decades, ultimately earning the title president emeritus from her
 2-1     fellow members; and
 2-2           WHEREAS, This esteemed individual was a dedicated supporter
 2-3     of the Democratic Party, serving as a delegate to numerous
 2-4     political conventions, including the 1996 Democratic National
 2-5     Convention in Chicago, when at the age of 93 she was recognized as
 2-6     that gathering's oldest delegate; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Velma Marjorie Dreyfus Jeter was a woman of courage,
 2-8     compassion, and integrity whose words and wisdom inspired her
 2-9     family, friends, and fellow citizens, and although she is missed by
2-10     all who knew her, her spirit surely lives on in the hearts and
2-11     minds of the many individuals with whom she shared her life; now,
2-12     therefore, be it
2-13           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-14     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Velma Marjorie
2-15     Dreyfus Jeter and extend sincere sympathy to her nieces and nephews
2-16     and to the many friends of this esteemed woman; and, be it further
2-17           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-18     prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas
2-19     House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
2-20     Velma Marjorie Dreyfus Jeter.
                                                             Lewis of Orange
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 40 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on March 25, 1999.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House