R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Talent, intellect, and the courage of conviction are
 1-2     measures often used to determine and to define individuality, and
 1-3     they are measures that justly describe Ossie Davis, for he is a
 1-4     multi-talented actor and director, a respected writer and thinker,
 1-5     and a man of singular force and self-knowledge; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, From his birth in Cogdell, Georgia, on December 18,
 1-7     1917, through his years as a student at Howard University in the
 1-8     1930s, and continuing even into the waning years of the 20th
 1-9     century, Ossie Davis has moved ever forward in his search for
1-10     equality and justice for all people of the world; and
1-11           WHEREAS,  He has acted on stage, screen, and television and
1-12     is a noted writer and producer of thought-provoking, engaging
1-13     entertainment; foremost in his work, however, is the commitment to
1-14     represent his community responsibly and in a positive manner; and
1-15           WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Davis has contributed countless
1-16     hours of his time to benefit  community and national action groups,
1-17     ranging from the National Council of the Arts, Sciences, and
1-18     Professions, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the
1-19     National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and
1-20           WHEREAS, His successful professional life has been surpassed
1-21     only by the rewards of his longtime marriage with the actress Ruby
1-22     Dee;  and
1-23           WHEREAS, His presence at the February 1999 ceremonies in
1-24     Dallas for the release of a postage stamp honoring civil rights
 2-1     figure Malcolm X is most fitting; in February of 1965 Mr. Davis
 2-2     bravely delivered the eulogy at the funeral for the slain activist,
 2-3     committing forever to this nation's conscience the memory of that
 2-4     "stormy, controversial, and bold young captain"; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome Mr. Davis
 2-6     to Texas and to honor his courage and talent, for he is an
 2-7     inspiration and an example for all; now, therefore, be it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-9     Legislature hereby commend Ossie Davis for his unwavering
2-10     commitment to American civil rights and his many contributions to
2-11     the entertainment industry, and extend to him warmest best wishes
2-12     for continued happiness and success;  and, be it further
2-13           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-14     prepared for Mr. Davis as an expression of high regard by the Texas
2-15     House of Representatives.
                                                                    Giddings
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 177 was adopted by the House on
         February 11, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House