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