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.