By Giddings                                            H.R. No. 667
         76R12753 JHS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is privileged to
 1-2     welcome to the State Capitol South Africa's ambassador to the
 1-3     United States, Her Excellency, Sheila Violet Makate Sisulu; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, Appointed to the ambassadorship earlier this year by
 1-5     South African President Nelson Mandela, Ambassador Sisulu is a
 1-6     respected leader in the government of her homeland; she has
 1-7     previously served as consul-general to the South African
 1-8     Consulate-General in New York and is a former special advisor to
 1-9     the minister of education; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Ambassador Sisulu is a longtime advocate of
1-11     educational issues and demonstrated her commitment to excellence in
1-12     education during a decade-long tenure on the South African
1-13     Committee for Higher Education; this esteemed individual has also
1-14     served as the education coordinator of the African Bursary Fund of
1-15     the South African Council of Churches, a post that further
1-16     established her legacy of exemplary public service; and
1-17           WHEREAS, In 1991, she was named director of the Joint
1-18     Enrichment Project, an organization dedicated to youth development;
1-19     her active involvement with this program helped to positively
1-20     influence the new government's  policies in this area and led to
1-21     the establishment of South Africa's National Youth Commission; and
1-22           WHEREAS, Ambassador Sisulu will undoubtedly maintain her
1-23     commitment to excellence in the performance of her diplomatic
1-24     duties as ambassador to the United States, and she truly merits
 2-1     special legislative recognition on the occasion of her visit to
 2-2     Austin on April 19, 1999; now, therefore, be it
 2-3           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
 2-4     Legislature hereby officially welcome Her Excellency, Ambassador
 2-5     Sheila Violet Makate Sisulu to the State Capitol and extend to her
 2-6     warmest best wishes for an enjoyable stay in the Lone Star State;
 2-7     and, be it further
 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
 2-9     prepared for Ambassador Sisulu to commemorate this grand occasion
2-10     and as an expression of highest regard by the Texas House of
2-11     Representatives.